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Title: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: A Play
ISBN: 0452261139
Author:
August Wilson
Publicate Date: 1985-04-24
Publish: 1985-04-24
List Price: $12.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $0.34
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.11
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.20
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Very Good Play, Not as Good as Some of Wilson's Others
This is the fourth play I have read by August Wilson, the other three being "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," "The Piano Lesson,"and "Fences" - the latter two won Pulitzer prizes. This play deals with the same social issues concerning black Americans that are standard in the plays of Wilson. Of the four I have read, this one is unique in that it is set in Chicago and not Pittsburgh. I must say, as good as this play was, the story did not have as many dimensions as the others I have read, and therefore, not as complex - making less room for character development. To be fair, this was one of Wilson's earlier plays, and perhaps he was still trying to develop the social element in his plays. My biggest praises for the play is that it is very funny at times, more so than the others with which I am familiar. Also, as a musician myself, I liked the setting of the play (a recording studio.) I must say, however, that the dramatic conclusion of the play was a little overdone and puzzling.
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2: The Struggle
This play brings out the struggles of the African American musical artist,how they had to claw, bite and even fight each other and also be strong to get any recognition. How their talents were exploited by the white man for their own self gradification. Ma Rainey was a strong black women whom could have helped her band members, but at times I think she only thought of her on selfish needs. I hate to say but her attitude is typical of some artist today, all about them selves and not about helping their fellow man. However I think Mr. Wilson brought out her desire to help others and her determination to get her way in the matter of her nephew, but I think it was at the wrong time and at the expense of the band member. The tragedy at the then end was very shocking and unexpected. A good read, but not one of my favorite August Wilson plays.
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3: An understanding of blues and history!
Recognized as a great American playwright with numerous awards, August Wilson has brilliantly chronicled the black experience through decades. Depicting the 1920s, he wrote "Ma Rainey" in 1982.
The scene for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", takes place in a recording studio in 1927 where two white music executives are making a record with blues singer, Ma Rainey and a group of musicians.
Because the focus is on four male band members. it may take a while to try to put a face with each character, but within a short time, you grasp who the characters are - their values, beliefs and fears.
Ma Rainey's tone of voice is profound and nobody can push her around. Some critics report that Ma Rainey was exploitive and abusive to her band members, but I certainly did not get that impression. She was just tough and she knew how important her role was in blues music! Ma Rainey didn't take any crap from the white executives or anyone.
The dialogue interweaves with Ma's performance onstage and the band members during rehearsals. Their identities evolve and it's clear who and why they are as they share their experience with racist America and we then know their role in a racist society and industry.
A dramatic ending caps the story when the most bitter player reacts violently when another member steps on his shoes. To me, the incident seemed unjustifiable to provoke such a violent reaction by another member. It appeared out of place.
If you have an interest in the work of a great playwright or another interpretation of black experience through the decades, read more from this amazing man.
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4: Talky, but interesting
This play is set in a studio during the early days of sound recording. Ma Rainey's back-up band awaits the overdue arrival of the so-called Queen of Blues, discussing their lives and arguing about the music scene and their places in it. The white studio execs are practically tearing their hair out over Ma's tardiness and the demands that she is sure to make when she arrives. When she finally comes, she is every bit as demanding and overbearing as we expect, but also very perceptive-she is well aware that black artists are being exploited by the very record company people who continually urge her to be "reasonable" about the amount of money that she "wastes" on personal demands while recording the music that makes them so rich.Although it features very good dialogue and some fine monologues, nothing much happens dramatically during the course of the play. There is an explosive finale, but it feels contrived and overdone, as though Wilson didn't know where to take his characters after all of the talking stopped.
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5: It's a question. How can I show a student of mine how strong
I would welcome suggestions to the analysis of August Wilson's " Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at secondary school level. The book is too powerful but sometimes my students have difficulties in understanding its strenght.Sorry this is not a review, it's a cry of "Hellllp".I am 41 years old. In my computer ages only go up to 12
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