New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Last Week For "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Two River Theater


By Gary Wien

originally published: 10/03/2016


(RED BANK, NJ) — Sadly, there are just seven performances left of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which closes on Sunday, October 9 at Two River Theater.  In what might be August Wilson’s angriest and most powerful play, Two River provides the definitive August Wilson production. Everything from the cast to the set is absolutely perfect.  If you have not been able to see the production yet, grab tickets for the remaining shows while you can.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, part of Wilson’s American Century Cycle, takes place in the 1920s in a Chicago recording studio.  Ma Rainey is a famous black blues artist (Known as “Mother of the Blues”) who is the record label’s top selling artist.  She also is quite a piece of work — as much of a diva as could be expected by a black female artist of the day.

In the opening act, we hardly see much of Ma Rainey at all.  Instead, we see the record label owner, Sturdyvant (played by Peter Van Wagner) and the band’s manager, Irvin (played by Michael Cumpsty) set up the studio followed by the members of the band, Slow Drag (Harvy Blanks), Toledo (Brian D. Coats), Cutler (James A. Williams), and Levee (Brandon J. Dirden) practicing, joking, and waiting for their boss to arrive.

The band is an interesting mix from the business-like pair of musicians Cutler and Slow Drag to the highly educated Toledo and the ultra talented Levee.  The latter two have friction from the get go - based on everything from education to musical aspirations.

“You read too many books,” said Levee.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



“What do you care how much I read?” replies Toledo.  “I’m going to ignore you ‘cause you ignorant!”

August Wilson sets up the play with a very simple premise — the band will record the song “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and other tracks.  Unfortunately, there is a disagreement on which version of the song to play — Levee’s new arrangement (seemingly taking the blues closer to the emerging world of jazz improvisation) or the traditional version which includes a spoken intro.  When Ma Rainey (Arnetia Walker) finally arrives, it becomes clear which version they will do — she says they are recording the traditional version with her nephew Slyvester (Marcel Spears) providing the introduction.  The only problem is that the boy stutters.

The first act is tremendously funny, luring us into a very different place than the play will eventually take us.  Race and the struggle between the races has never been on display more for Wilson than in this play.  He also manages to show how white American took advantage of the talents of black artists, specifically how the music industry used them - as much for the music as the product itself.  It's difficult to watch this play and not think back to how the blues, jazz, r&B, and hip-hop all basically originated from black artists only to become part of white America as well.  This play reveals the sense of pride and the sense of loss as the artists themselves witness the changes.

At times, it can be very unnerving.  If you want theatre to challenge you or take you to places of the human condition that people tend to avoid, this is must theatre.  From the set design reminiscent of a plantation with the boss man high above the slaves to the back stories of the musicians and the generation gap between them, the play is full of uncomfortable situations — especially for a white audience.  Yet, its powerful message is inspiring.  It reveals the harsh truth about how freedom not only failed to change everything but may have simply rewritten the rules.  Seeing this production in the era of Black Lives Matter takes on an even more powerful and rather unique message.

Two River Theater continues to give August Wilson’s cycle the productions they deserve.  In my opinion, Wilson is every bit as important to the American theatre as Arthur Miller or Tennessee Williams.  The entire cast is amazing and gets to take advantage of one of Wilson’s greatest gifts — the ability to fully utilize an ensemble to its utmost potential, offering everyone a scene or two in which to shine.  Highlights for me include Brandon J. Dirden’s deeply layered portrayal of Levee.  He isn’t just a cocky, young performer; he is a man that you just know has a back story and it’s a doozie. James A. William as Cutler will have you hearing his count off for each song for days afterwards — “a one and a two, you know what to do.” Arnetia Walker brings just the right amount of sass and confidence for Ma Rainey, while Brian D. Coats gives a great portrayal as Toledo, the elder philosopher trying to better himself.  But the true scene stealer is Marcel Spears as the stuttering Sylvester.  Anybody that has ever tried faking a stutter will appreciate the magic Spears does on stage.

Expertly directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, this is August Wilson at his best, backed by a stellar team.  Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is the fourth production of the cycle by Two River (following productions of Jitney, Two Trains Running, and Seven Guitars) and each one seems better than the last.  Here’s hoping they keep the cycle going…

Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Avenue in Red Bank, NJ.  For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.tworivertheater.org

All photos by T. Charles Erickson

 




Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.



Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Sunday, July 13, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Brookdale

Brookdale Summer Shakespeare presents William Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- Brookdale Performing Arts Center's Summer Shakespeare returns for its 23rd season with a free production of one of William Shakespeare's most gripping and haunting tragedies, Macbeth. This annual outdoor event continues to be a beloved tradition, offering free, high-quality theater to the community in the scenic setting of the college's Great Lawn. Performances run July 10-13 and July 17-20, 2025.



Monmouth

Monmouth University Center for the Arts presents National Theatre: Broadcast in HD - "A Streetcar Named Desire"

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth University Center for the Arts presents the National Theatre: Broadcast in HD of A Streetcar Named Desire on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in the Pollak Theatre. From visionary director Benedict Andrews, this acclaimed production was filmed live during a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre in 2014. Showtime is 7:30pm.



The

The Artist Collective Troupe presents "The Trail to Oregon"

(POINT PLEASANT, NJ) -- The Artist Collective Troupe presents The Trail to Oregon from August 1-2, 2025 at the Woman's Club of Point Pleasant.  Based on the nostalgic video game, the musical follows a dysfunctional all-American family on the ultimate road trip down the Oregon Trail.



PHOTOS

PHOTOS from "42nd Street" at Surflight Theatre

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents 42nd Street from July 8-27, 2025. Surflight's adaptation of the 1980 staged musical 42nd Street, based on the book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, directed and choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan, takes us on the journey of Peggy Sawyer as she attempts to make her mark in the big apple. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



This

This Weekend – Vanguard Theater & Essex County Launch the First-Ever Montclair Theater Festival: Once Upon a Stage!

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The inaugural Montclair Theater Festival: Once Upon a Stage makes its highly anticipated debut this Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Glenfield Park in the heart of Montclair's historic Fourth Ward. Brought to life by local creative powerhouse Vanguard Theater in partnership with the Essex County Board of Commissioners, this one-day celebration promises an unforgettable blend of live theater, interactive activities, family fun, and local flavor for people of all ages.