Photo Flash: First Look at Lillias White and More in MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at the Taper

Now in previews, August Wilson's hard-hitting "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" opens September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/ Mark Taper Forum. "Ma Rainey..." is part of Wilson's American Century Cycle of 10 plays chronicling African American experience in 20th Century USA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Phylicia Rashad, who direcTEd Wilson's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" at the Taper in 2013, directs this groundbreaking play which depicts the racism and exploitation in the music industry through a 1927 recording session in Chicago with a legendary blues singer. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is inspired by the real-life Gertrude "Ma" Rainey.

The cast features, in alphabetical order, Greg Bryan, Keith David, Jason Dirden, Damon Gupton, Matthew Henerson, Nija Okoro, Lamar Richardson, Ed Swidey, Glynn Turman and LiLlias White.

Scenic design is by John Iacovelli, costume design is by Emilio Sosa, lighting design is by Elizabeth Harper, sound design is by Dan Moses Schreier, the music director is Steven Bargonetti, hair and wig design is by Carol F. Doran, the fight director is Steve Rankin and the production stage manager is David Blackwell.

Tickets for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets range from $25 - $85 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

Photo Credit: Craig Schwartz