Great playwright August Wilson – woefully under-produced in Canada - offers a hardscrabble, heart breaking, fiercely articulated look at racism, framed as a backstage drama set in a Chicago recording studio in 1927.
Jackie Richardson starred with warmth, gusto and formidable vocal chops as Ma, and her band was well played by David Collins (trumpet), Doug Innis (bass), Theodore Gentry (guitar), and Joe Sealy (piano).
Canadian Premiere – Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace
“Taut race-friction drama – Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is the best play in town. Jon Michaelson has assembled a solid Toronto cast for his production, headed by Jackie Richardson. It's a pleasure to watch them in action in a superb production like this.”
Frank Rasky, The Canadian Jewish News
“Mercury Theatre has built a solid reputation for introducing important plays and playwrights to Toronto. Add August Wilson to an already impressive list.”
Robert Crew, The Toronto Star
“A moving and passionate piece of theatre - ”
Henry Mietkiewicz, CJEZ Radio
“Rainey rollicks and rolls”
NOW
“Ma Rainey play much more than a blues musical - “
The Globe & Mail
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Direction: JM
Set & Lighting Design: Stephen Plotkin
Costumes: Audrey Van der Stoop
Musical Director: John Devinish
Sound: Hatem Habashi
Photography: Hatem Habashi
CAST
Jackie Richardson, David Collins, Doug Innis, Theodore Gentry, Joe Sealy, Marium Carvell, John Devenish, Greg Blanchard, Ramon Tarranco