About performance
As part of our commitment to presenting August Wilson’s work, we bring you our seventh production of his American Century Cycle: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, directed by Gregg T. Daniel. Set in a Chicago recording studio in 1927, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom unfolds with tension, music, and truth. As legendary blues singer Ma Rainey arrives to record, underlying conflicts rise among her band, exposing deep wounds, ambition, and the realities of race in America. With sharp dialogue and unforgettable characters, Wilson crafts a powerful, intimate portrait of artistry, identity, and control. Both electric and deeply human, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a gripping exploration of faith, joy, and the cost of being heard.
AUGUST WILSON’S MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Header Image:
Amber Liekhus in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Photo by Daniel Reichert.
Above:
1. Jamar Gilbert and Amber Liekhus in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Photo by Daniel Reichert.
2. Jamar Gilbert in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Photo by Abe Portillo.
3. Amber Liekhus in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Photo by Daniel Reichert.
4. Alex Morris, Gerald C. Rivers, Kai A. Ealy, and Jamar Gilbert in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Photo by Abe Portillo.
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Richard & Sally Roberts
Producing Sponsor: Sheila & Alan Lamson
Sponsor: William & Priscilla Kennedy
Student Matinee Sponsor: Nancy & Keith Price
Special Performances
Opening Night
August 29, 2026 – 7:30pm
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Black Out Night
Black Out Night is a purposeful, exciting creation of an environment in which an audience, self-identifying as Black, can come together and experience a performance in community. A reception will follow the performance, providing an opportunity for the audience to discuss their experience and to socialize! Non-Black-identifying patrons have the option to attend, or to select a different performance.
September 12, 2026 – 7:30pm
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Pay What You Choose
Pay What You Choose tickets will be available to purchase online for as low as $10 starting at 12 pm on the Monday before the performance with the choice to pay $10 or $20 (excluding handling fee). Tickets can also be purchased at the Box Office after 2 pm day of the performance. Suggested price of $10.
August 26, 2026
August 27, 2026
INsiders discussion
Join us at 12:30 pm prior to the August 30 matinee for a FREE INsiders Discussion!
August 30, 2026 – 12:30pm
RSVP Now
Post-Show Conversations
After select Friday 7:30 pm and Sunday 2 pm performances, join us after the show for a conversation with the actors.
September 4, 2026
September 6, 2026
September 11, 2026
September 13, 2026
September 18, 2026
GalaPro Closed Captioning
Join us for select performances, where we’re excited to offer GalaPro closed captioning, courtesy of the Perenchio Foundation, enhancing accessibility for all our patrons.
September 19, 2026 – 2:00pm
September 20, 2026 – 2:00pm
artists + cast
CAST
Ma Rainey: Amber Liekhus*
Levee: Jamar Gilbert*
Cutler: Kai A. Ealy*
Toledo: Gerald C. Rivers*
Slow Drag: Alex Morris*
Irvin: Bert Emmett*
Sturdyvant: Matt Foyer*
Dussie Mae: CJ Obilom*
Sylvester: Francic C. Edemobi
Policeman: James Nardini
Understudy for Ma Rainey: Gwendolyn McCann-Mulamba*
Understudy for Levee: Kameron J. Brown
Understudy for Dussie Mae: Sierra Nicolette Smith*
Understudy for Irvin: John Shartzer*
Understudy for Sturdyvant: Ken Merckx Jr.*
Understudy for Cutler: Khalif J. Gillett*
Creative Team
Artistic Directors: Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott
Director: Gregg. T. Daniel §
Stage Manager: Sami Hansen*
Assistant Stage Manager: Bryan Tiglio
Music Director: Byron Smith
Scenic Designer: Tesshi Nakagawa
Assistant Scenic Designer/Charge Artist: Angelene Storey
Costume Designer: Christine Cover Ferro
Lighting Designer: Ken Booth
Sound Designer: Jeff Gardner
Wig Designer & Make-up: Sheila Dorn
Dialect Coach: Andrea Odinov
Choreographer: Joyce Guy
Fight Choreographer: Ken Merckx Jr.
Resident Dramaturg: Miranda Johnson-Haddad
Master Carpenter: Rochelle Concepcion
Master Electrician: Georgia Shupper
Light Board Operator: Sam Campbell
A1: John Conant
A2: Chloe Pate
Managing Director: Conner Criswell
General Manager: Sylwia Dudzinska
Casting Director/Artist Relations: Alison Rodriguez
Production Manager: Juli Figueroa-Castro
Properties Designer / Technical Director: Stephen Taylor
Costume Shop Manager: Courtney Park
Costume Shop Assistant/First Hand: Erin McComb
Costume Shop Stitcher/Wardrobe: Ashley Marshall
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
§ The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
A Noise Within’s Main Entrance and Box Office are located at 3352 E Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.
WALKING DIRECTIONS
Exit the parking structure at Level 1 on the Sierra Madre Villa Ave side where the elevators are located.
RIDING THE METRO
A Noise Within is conveniently located within steps of the Metro A Line Sierra Madre Villa station.
Event Calendar
Visit our event calendar to plan your next visit to the theater.
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