Ma Rainey and her band return to Goodman Theatre this spring in a major revival—and a reunion of two Chicago theater legends. Goodman Family Resident Director Chuck Smith directs August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” with Associate/Music Director Harry J. Lennix.
This performance is another chance to see what has become a favorite in the 10-play series (The Pittsburgh or Century Cycle) of celebrated playwright August Wilson.
“‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ is really the August Wilson play that hits me in the heart, because directing it allowed me to work directly with him for the first time on one of his shows,” said Smith, who directed Goodman Theatre’s 1997 production, which featured Lennix as Levee and broke box office records of the time.
“I hope the audience comes away from this play understanding just how hard it was for Black musicians in the 1920s, having no control over their music. August loved music—I believe this play was his first major success because it is based on music. Something we did right with the 1997 show was having the actors learn to play their instruments—and this cast is going to do the same.”
It’s 1926 Chicago, and Ma Rainey, “The Mother of the Blues,” takes her time getting ready to record. Tensions and temperatures rise as the musicians recount tales of rage, joy, betrayal and faith in astonishing stories and a heart-stopping climax.
“The setting of this play is now a century ago, and I’m interested in exploring what’s changed in our society and what hasn’t in that time,” said Lennix. “What ‘Ma Rainey’ means to me as a play, and why it remains my favorite of August Wilson’s plays, is the music, the setting in Chicago and the great time Chuck Smith and I had with it in the past. It reminds me of a very potent, robust time in The Goodman’s history. I’m not a director, and I’m not the actor that I am now without that experience working with Chuck on this play.”
Along with Smith and Lennix, who are both Chicago natives, the play stars the incomparable, effervescent E. Faye Butler—also a Chicago native—as Ma Rainey herself.
Butler’s career spans more than 40 years performing in plays, films and television and directing plays and musicals, and performing in concerts, clubs and cabarets both nationally and internationally.
I interviewed Butler about a year ago when she was starring in The Goodman production of “Fat Ham.” At that time, she reflected on her long career: “My passion is theater, and my parents were influential in making sure that every week we saw something—a ballet, a symphony, an art gallery. There was always lots of music in my South Side home, and there was always the feeling that we could express ourselves.”
Butler has also performed in another Wilson play, “King Hedley II.”
Other performers include Scott Aiello (Policeman); David Alan Anderson (Cutler); Matt DeCaro (Sturdy) and Marc Grapey (Irvin).
Smith’s Goodman credits include “Objects in the Mirror,” “Two Trains Running,” “Pullman Porter Blues,” “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” and “The Amen Corner,”among many others.
Among other Wilson productions, Smith also served as dramaturg for The Goodman’s world-premiere of “Gem of the Ocean.” He is an Emmy Award-winner, a recipient of the Paul Robeson Award and was the 2001 Chicago Tribune Chicagoan of the Year.
Smith is also a Goodman Board of Trustees member and Resident Director at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota, Florida, among other appointments.
Lennix is a distinguished film and television and stage actor and producer. He returns to the Goodman Theatre following productions of “Inherit the Wind,” Wilson’s “How I Learned What I Learned” (produced by Congo Square in association with The Goodman) and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” directed by Chuck Smith.
Recently at Steppenwolf Theatre, he appeared in “Purpose,” as well as in “Purpose” on Broadway and was Tony-nominated in the Lead Actor in a Play category. He starred for 10 seasons on NBC’s “The Blacklist” and the Showtime series “Billions.” In July 2014, Lennix created Exponent Media Group.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” appears March 28 through April 26 in the 856-seat Albert Theatre; opening night is April 6. For tickets ($34-$104, subject to change), visit the Box Office (170 N. Dearborn) or visit goodmantheatre.org and search for Ma Rainey.
There are ASL-Interpreted, Audio-Described, Touch Tour, Spanish-Subtitled and Open-Captioned performances.
The Goodman is grateful for the support of Allstate Insurance Company (Lead Corporate Sponsor), The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust (Lead Sponsor of IDEAA Programming), PAXXUS (Corporate Sponsor Partner) and WBEZ Chicago (Media Sponsor).