E. Faye Butler to Star in Philadelphia Theatre Company’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

E. Faye Butler will play the title role in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, to run May 21 – June 13 at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Irene Lewis will direct the production, which features musical direction by William Foster McDaniel.

The play unfolds in a recording studio in Chicago in 1927 as blues legend Ma Rainey works to record a new album. The company will also feature Ro Boddie (Sylvester), Thomas Jefferson Boyd (Toledo), Toccarra Cash (Dussie Mae), David Fonteno (Cutler), Merwin Goldsmith (Irvin), Jeb Kreager (Policeman), Maurice McRae (Levee), Laurence O’Dwyer (Sturdyvant), and Ernest Perry (Slow Drag).

Butler has won a Jeff Award, two BTAA Awards, an After Dark Award, a John Barrymore Award and has three Helen Hayes Nominations, and an Ovation Nomination. Among her recent stage credits are regional productions of Caroline, or Change, Dinah Was and Ella.

The creative team will include Riccardo Hernandez (scenic design), Candice Donnelly (costume design), Rui Rita (lighting design), and David Budries (sound design).

For further information, visit: www.PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org.