James R | On 20, Oct 2020

“A-one, a-two, you know what to do…” That’s the sound of Netflix counting in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, a new adaptation of August Wilson’s play.

The film follows Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues”, who makes a record in a studio in Chicago, 1927. Tensions boil between her, her white agent, her producer, and her bandmates.

Viola Davis stars as Ma Rainey, with Chadwick Boseman co-starring as her ambitious horn player. They’re joined by Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Glynn Turman, Dusan Brown and Taylour Paige.

With George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) at the helm and a soundtrack composed by Branford Marsalis, this new trailer gives us a first look at what promises to be an electrifyingly jazzy number. Check it out on 18th December when it drops on Netflix, following a limited cinema release in November.

 

First look: Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

1st October 2020

Netflix has released the first images from its upcoming adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman.

The play, written by August Wilson, opened at Broadway’s Cort Theatre in October 1984, playing 276 performances before closing in June 1985. Featuring direction by Lloyd Richards, the play cast Theresa Merritt in the title role. Nominated for a Tony Award, Ma Rainey’s won the 1984 New York Drama Critics Circle Award. The play was revived in February 2003 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Dutton.

The film follows Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues”, who makes a record in a studio in Chicago, 1927. Tensions boil between her, her white agent, her producer, and her bandmates.

Davis, who starred in August Wilson’s Fences on stage and screen, will lead the impressive ensemble, joined by Boseman in his last screen role, Emmy Award Winner Glynn Turman (Mr Mercedes), Tony and Olivier Award Nominee Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk) plus Tony Award Nominee Jeremy Shamos (Birdman, The Big Sick) and Michael Potts (Show Me A Hero, True Detective).

Ruben Santiago-Hudson is writing the script, with George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) at the helm. Denzel Washington is on board as producer, alongside Academy Award Nominee Todd Black and Dany Wolf. Constanza Romero is Executive Producer, Ann Roth is Costume Designer and the soundtrack is composed by Branford Marsalis.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom will premiere on Netflix on 18th December.

 

Jonny Coyne joins Viola Davis in Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

5th July 2019

Jonny Coyle is leading the new names joining Viola Davis in Netflix’s adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

The actor, who is known for The Nun and Nightcrawler, is one of a number of new additions to the ensemble, including Taylour Paige (Zola, Jean of the Joneses, White Boy Rick, They Shot Billy), Tony Award Nominee Jeremy Shamos (Birdman, The Big Sick) and Dusan Brown (The Lion Guard, 42). They join the previously announced Davis, plus Chadwick Boseman, Emmy Award Winner Glynn Turman, Tony and Olivier Award Nominee Colman Domingo and Michael Potts.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson is writing the script based on the award-winning play by August Wilson. It follows Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues,” who makes a record in a studio in Chicago, 1927. Tensions boil between her, her white agent, her producer, and her bandmates.

In 2010 Denzel Washington and Viola Davis starred in the revival of August Wilson’s Fences on Broadway, before going on to star in the Oscar-winning film version. Now, Davis is back in Wilson territory. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom opened at Broadway’s Cort Theatre in October 1984. The play was revived in February 2003 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Dutton.

Multiple Tony Award and DGA Award-winner George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) will direct the film, with Washington producing, alongside Academy Award Nominee Todd Black and Dany Wolf. The soundtrack will be composed by Branford Marsalis.

Filming will commence next month in Pittsburgh.

 

August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom heads to Netflix

21st June 2019

A new film based on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is headed to Netflix.

The play, written by August Wilson, opened at Broadway’s Cort Theatre in October 1984, playing 276 performances before closing in June 1985. Featuring direction by Lloyd Richards, the play cast Theresa Merritt in the title role. Nominated for a Tony Award, Ma Rainey’s won the 1984 New York Drama Critics Circle Award. The play was revived in February 2003 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Dutton.

Wilson is enjoying something of a comeback in the world of feature films. In 2010 Denzel Washington and Viola Davis starred in the revival of August Wilson’s Fences on Broadway. They both won Tony Awards for their roles and in 2016 Washington directed and starred alongside Davis in a film adaptation of Fences that received 3 Academy Awards nominations and an Academy Award win for Viola Davis.

Davis (Widows, Fences) will again star in Ma Rainey, leading a cast that includes Chadwick Boseman (42, Get On Up, Black Panther), Emmy Award Winner Glynn Turman (Mr.Mercedes, Sextuplets, How To Get Away With Murder, In Treatment), Tony and Olivier Award Nominee Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk) plus Michael Potts (Show Me A Hero, True Detective).

Washington will produce the film; alongside Academy Award Nominee Todd Black and Dany Wolf. Constanza Romero is Executive Producer, Ann Roth is Costume Designer and the soundtrack is composed by Branford Marsalis.

The film follows Ma Rainey, the “Queen of the Blues,” who makes a record in a studio in Chicago, 1927, causing tensions to boil between her, her white agent and producer, and bandmates.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson will adapt the script and Tony Award and DGA Award-winner George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) will be at the helm. Filming will commence next month in Pittsburgh.

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