Listen: Clarke Peters and Ebony Jo-Ann in August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'

The third installment in our 10-play series is set in 1927. Legendary blues singer Ma Rainey and her band players convene in a Chicago studio to record a new album. As their conversation unfolds, their bantering, storytelling and arguing raise questions of race, art and the historic exploitation of black recording artists by white producers. Featuring Ebony Jo-Ann as Ma Rainey, Clarke Peters as Toledo and Larry Gilliard, Jr. as Levee. Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

We're sorry but, THE RECORDING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AT THIS SITE or through New York Public Radio.  Please refer to the organizations and repositories referred to in this press release: AMERICAN THEATRE 

CAST LIST

STURDYVANT..........George Morfogen

IRVIN..........................Tuck Milligan

CUTLER......................Charles Weldon

TOLEDO......................Clarke Peters

SLOW DRAG...............Harvy Blanks

LEVEE..........................Larry Gilliard, Jr.

MA RAINEY..................Ebony Jo-Ann

DUSSIE MAE.................Joniece Abbott-Pratt

POLICEMAN...................Lucas Caleb Rooney 

SYLVESTER....................Jonathan Majors.

With original music by Grammy-nominated composer Bill Sims, Jr. 

Watch a video excerpt: 

View more behind-the-scenes photos here

Harvy Blanks (left) as Slow Drag, and Clarke Peters as Toledo (Matthew Septimus)