Unfortunately, even the star power of Academy Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg wasn't enough to draw crowds to August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The show had a relatively brief run on Broadway, despite the fact that, in addition to Goldberg, well-known actor Charles Dutton returned to recreate the role of Levee (which he played in the successful Broadway original 18 years ago). Ma Rainey is also notable as the first of many Wilson plays to be seen on Broadway. This reviewer was able to see the original version and this slightly altered revival.
Set in 1927 Chicago, Ma Rainey shows the black experience through the eyes of blues singer Ma Rainey and her band. As the show opens, one sees the interior of a shabby recording studio. Ma's band members begin to arrive, and we are introduced to each character. Among them is Levee, the trumpet player. As they tune up in anticipation of Ma's arrival, the audience learns about their relationship with Ma Rainey, and with each other. Levee is middle-aged this time around, but he displays the fierce anger of a much younger man. He dreams of leading his own band and spends much of the first act visualizing how the band would look and sound. Ma does not make her appearance until a full hour into the show, which may have disappointed Whoopi Goldberg fans. In any case, Goldberg makes a rather faint impression. She does not erase the memory of the original Ma, whose powerful voice and immense size endure powerfully. Although Goldberg is a seasoned Broadway actress, she fails to project onstage. Her gestures and voice seem almost muted. However, Ma is not written to blend in. Ma is a fading superstar who uses this power to make everyone bow to her wishes.
Charles Dutton pleases once more as Levee, the sad, childlike man who resorts to violence when his dreams are dashed. Thomas Jefferson Byrd impresses as Toledo, the philosopher of the bunch. The rest of the band is up to snuff as well. However, this time, their magic couldn't create enough interest to sustain a deservedly long run.
