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jujulemonade's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bybemoulden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
azazellos_fang's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kimberly_levaco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An agonizing story of the way white peoples view/viewed people of color, and the decision they had to make to be what they were expected to be or what they wanted to be.
kendallheldt's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sandy_reads_books's review against another edition
The conflict and pushing back and forth of tensions in this play is both scary (from the perspective of an anxious/non confrontational person) but also extremely compelling in how it depicts the different ways Blacks felt (feel?), the pains that haunt them, and the struggle of living in a space between wanting and deserving more and being treated like less than dirt.
While I expected to be drawn mostly to Ma Rainey’s character since her name is in the title, I found that what interested me most were the interactions of the band members. I love that Ma Rainey is a strong female character that isn’t a push over, but it is because the band members have no power that I find their choices and interactions more compelling as they try and navigate that space.
It is hard to watch Levee’s journey specifically as he attempts to assert control and a sense of agency in his life and in the end his sad attempt to assert control over Toledo when his chance for fulfillment evaporates in front of him. Hearing the backstory of what happened to his mother and father and how that formed his worldview is heartbreaking and tragic. The trauma expressed in this play is astounding and highlights the need for healing and reparations.
While I expected to be drawn mostly to Ma Rainey’s character since her name is in the title, I found that what interested me most were the interactions of the band members. I love that Ma Rainey is a strong female character that isn’t a push over, but it is because the band members have no power that I find their choices and interactions more compelling as they try and navigate that space.
It is hard to watch Levee’s journey specifically as he attempts to assert control and a sense of agency in his life and in the end his sad attempt to assert control over Toledo when his chance for fulfillment evaporates in front of him. Hearing the backstory of what happened to his mother and father and how that formed his worldview is heartbreaking and tragic. The trauma expressed in this play is astounding and highlights the need for healing and reparations.
shyster's review against another edition
informative
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
bobbyknndy's review against another edition
4.0
Taking place in the 1920s, this is the the third play in August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle, a ten-play cycle documenting the African-American experience during the 20th century. However, I find it more useful to read Wilson's plays in the order in which he wrote them, not their chronological order. This is his very first play, and also the only one of his to not take place in Pittsburgh (it's set in Chicago). Definitely groundbreaking for its time, Ma Rainey's contains many of Wilson's trademarks that he would continue to use and develop throughout his career. The dialogue between characters is truly poetic, at times. However, being his very first play, it can be a little rough around the edges. I found the tragedy of Levee's past and the play's ultimate conflict to really come out of left field. Wilson would go on to write much better—his next play, Fences, would win a Pulitzer—but Ma Rainey's is a classic for breaking new ground in African American theater and launching the career of one of the most important voices in modern drama.
censius's review against another edition
3.0
On the page, Ma Rainey's is a meandering, lifelike depiction of a band discussing things while they wait for their lead singer to come. Engagement goes in and out, as their seems to be little thrust to the narrative for most of the play. On stage, I'm sure performances and the thrill of a theatre room can truly elevate the text, but by itself it feels a bit like it's spinning it's wheels.
SPOILERS
The connection between Levee, the upstart trumpet player that wants to start a new era of music, and Ma Rainey, the Angelou of jug bands, is that they both know what they're worth, and stubbornly resist how much the rest of the world wants to diminish and cheat them out of their true value. Of course, the audience knows all about how big jazz will be to the world, and know that Levee is right when he says his grand ideas will light the world on fire. But regardless of how talented these two are, the unfair, racist world is doing all it can to convince them that they are wrong about themselves, that their ideas aren't so lofty or their talent so irreplaceable. Ma Rainey is aware of their tricks, and get diva-esque unwillingness to make things easier for others eventually reveals that the managers and producers that she's inconveniencing are doing what they can to politely cheat her where they think they can get away with it.
SPOILERS
The connection between Levee, the upstart trumpet player that wants to start a new era of music, and Ma Rainey, the Angelou of jug bands, is that they both know what they're worth, and stubbornly resist how much the rest of the world wants to diminish and cheat them out of their true value. Of course, the audience knows all about how big jazz will be to the world, and know that Levee is right when he says his grand ideas will light the world on fire. But regardless of how talented these two are, the unfair, racist world is doing all it can to convince them that they are wrong about themselves, that their ideas aren't so lofty or their talent so irreplaceable. Ma Rainey is aware of their tricks, and get diva-esque unwillingness to make things easier for others eventually reveals that the managers and producers that she's inconveniencing are doing what they can to politely cheat her where they think they can get away with it.