Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

January 21 - February 12, 2022

Previews Jan. 19 & 20, 2022

Tensions and temperatures rise at a Chicago music studio in 1927 when fiery, fearless blues singer Ma Rainey joins her band for a fraught recording session. She is a Black woman determined to control her art and her life on her own terms. However, as egos and generational ideologies clash, heated conflicts erupt between everyone present that wrestle with the complexities of racism and artistic exploitation in this Tony Award® nominated powerhouse of a play.

Content Advisory: This production contains adult language and adult themes.  Contact the Box Office for more information 513-381-2273.

Run Time: 
Act 1: 75 Minutes
Act 2: 59 Minutes
There will be one 15 minute intermission

Special Event

An Evening with Dr. Sandra G. Shannon:

An Immersive discussion inspired by August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

February 6, 2022 at 7 PM

Pay what you can admission | Open to public

CSC is proud to present Dr. Sandra G. Shannon, the leading authority on playwright August Wilson, for a lecture inspired by CSC current production of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom that explores the role of Blues women, like Ma Rainey, as conveyors and preservers of Black culture.

LEARN MORE

Torie Wiggins*

Ma Rainey

Geoffrey Warren Barnes II*

Slow Drag

Arrianna Chai

Dussie Mae

Jeremy Dubin*

Irvin

Tyren Duncan

Sylvester

Ken Early*

Cutler

Jim Hopkins*

Sturdyvant

“ranney”*

Toledo

Nathan Sullivan

Policeman

Crystian Wiltshire*

Levee

  • Candice Handy

    Director

  • Tony Hardin

    Scenic Designer

  • Daryl Harris

    Costume Designer

  • Jessica Drayton

    Lighting Designer

  • Robert Carlton Stimmel

    Sound Designer

  • Angelique Archer

    Intimacy Director

  • Gina Cerimele-Mechley

    Fight Director

  • Yemi Oyediran

    Music Director/Composer

  • Kate Bindus

    Production Manager

  • Jason Stewart*

    Resident Stage Manager

  • Derek Snow and Deondra Means

    Understudies/ Swings

  • Erwin Stuckey, Jackson Steiger, Marc Fields, Mike Wade, Terrell Montgomery, Paul Patterson

    Musicians

  • *Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Vaccination/Negative Test and Mask Audience Requirements (as of August 30, 2021)

At this time, all ticketholders must show proof of a full COVID vaccination status or provide a negative COVID test to enter The Otto M. Budig Theater.
• Option 1: Proof of Vaccination
Ticketholders 12 years of age or older may show proof of full COVID vaccination to enter accompanied by a photo ID.
OR
• Option 2: Negative COVID PCR Test
Ticketholders 5 years of age or older may show proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken within 72 hours of performance to enter.

All ticket holders are required to wear face masks fitting securely over their mouth and nose while inside The Otto M. Budig Theater except when consuming food or beverage. Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted, and even if eating or drinking, masks must be worn when not actively eating or drinking.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Read our most updated Health and Safety information on this page. We will communicate more details about logistics and protocols for your visit to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company before your show.

Learn more on our Health and Safety Updates page.

Show Design Sponsors:

Judge Mark and Sue Ann Painter

James Williams and First Lady Carole L. Williams of Mount St. Joseph University

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