Photo Coverage: First look at Short North Stage's MA RAINEY's BLACK BOTTOM

As part of The August Wilson Festival, Short North Stage presents a full production of this searing drama. The play is set in a run-down recording studio in Chicago in 1927. The legendary "Mother of Blues," Ma Rainey, is due to arrive to record a new take on a favorite song. Ma uses every trick she can muster to fight her white record producer for control of her music. Hardened by years of ill-treatment and bad deals, she's determined that 'Black Bottom', the song that bears her name, will be recorded her way. But one of her band members, a swaggering young trumpet player, tries to manipulate the producer to record instead his new hip version of the song. A battle ensues. This masterpiece is a riveting portrayal of racism, of the self-hate that racism breeds, and of racial exploitation.

Running June 2 - June 19, 2016 at Short North Stage, 1187 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43201. For tickets/more info visit: http://shortnorthstage.org/calendar/v/536

Check out a first look below!