Disappointment leads to despair in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at The Goodman in Chicago -Theater Review

Set circa 1927 — at the height of the Great Migration, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is rooted in personal trauma, systemic racism and economic exploitation.

Ma Rainey is the leading artist of a struggling Chicago based blues label. Four of her backing musicians sitting in a rehearsal hall of the recording studio examine their lives while waiting for the prima donna to perform. In true blues tradition each man reveals his inner self through storytelling. In the process there is a good amount of convivial, often dark, humor born of a recognition of similar life experiences and a mutual understanding of shared pain. 

Highly recommended — Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom by August Wilson is at The Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago through May 3rd, 2026. Runtime is about 2 and a half hours with one intermission. For tickets go to GoodmanTheatre.org visit the Box Office, or call 312.443.3800.

Be sure to listen to the entire review (~6 minutes) at ChicagoBroadcastingNetwork.com where we spotlight Chicago’s arts, culture, and creative community.

CAST: Scott Aiello…Policeman/US Sturdyvant — David Alan Anderson…Cutler — E. Faye Butler…Ma Rainey — Matt DeCaro…Sturdyvent — Marc Grapey…Irvin — Tiffany Renee Johnson…Dussie Mae — Jabari Khaliq…Sylvester — Al’Jaleel McGhee…Levee — Kelvin Roston Jr….Toledo — Cedric Young…Slow Drag