In 2016, the way in which playwright August Wilson’s words remain so timely and poignant is almost eerie. Though written in 1982, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, which is set in 1920s Chicago, gives a peek into the complex personal and professional lives of musicians seeking to literally and figuratively have their voices heard. Tony Award winning actress Phylicia Rashad has assembled an all-star cast for her latest directorial undertaking, which is currently showing at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown Los Angeles.

 

Renown as the “Mother Of The Blues” the production doesn’t necessarily focus on the flamboyant and outspoken, singer Gertrude “Ma” Rainey. However, when lead actress Lillias White does take the stage, she embodies Rainey’s robust, no-nonsense personality.  Prior to Rainey making her grand entrance, a predominance of the play, which is staged in a recording studio, focuses on the intimate conversations amongst Ma Rainey’s band as they anxiously wait to record the song about the black bottom dance. The audience truly feels like a fly on the wall listening in on the men’s candid conversations about sex, art, gambling, faith and racial inequalities.

 

Legendary actors Keith David (“Greenleaf”) and Glynn Turman (“House of Lies”) play bassist Slow Drag and pianist Toledo. Damon Gupton (“The Divide”) is the levelheaded voice of reason as the trombonist, Cutler. Rounding out the quartet in a remarkable, breakout performance is Jason Dirden (“Greenleaf”) who revels in the role of the smooth talking, overly confident, trumpeter, Levee. Dirden’s monologues and the dire decision that he makes in the final scene left the audience captivated and at the edge of their seats.

 

In an exclusive interview with the L.A. Watts Times, the cast shares how they resonate with their characters and the importance of continuing to produce August Wilson plays for the enlightenment of a younger generation.

 

L.A. Watts Times: As an accomplished actress who is preparing to return to television for a role on “Empire”, how do you decide what projects you want to take on as a director? What was the process of selecting which actors would be the best fit for this production?

 

Phylicia Rashad: When I look at the work, if it speaks to me, I’ll say ‘yes’ and if the work doesn’t resonate with me, I’ll politely decline. [In terms of casting ‘Ma Rainey’] These actors are all such masterful artists. I would cast Lillas as Cinderella and it would work! It’s about the talent as well as being able to work with someone because there are artists that are challenging to work with for one reason or another. Our only challenge with this company was to rein in our laughter because we have such a good time together and when you truly enjoy each other, you can get a lot of great work done and I feel that’s what we’ve accomplished here.

 

LAWT: What is it about the role of Levee that truly spoke to you?

 

Jason Dirden: The first play I saw where I could remember having a visceral feeling was “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” in Houston at the Alley Theatre. At the time, I didn’t know that I wanted to be an actor but after that production, I understood the power of storytelling as well as the power of representing certain cultures and certain events in history and how it could affect the audience. Once I made the decision to be an actor I said if I ever got the opportunity to play this role, I have to do it. I believe the universe conspires to give you everything you desire and I’ve grown enough as a man to be able to play this role at this time. Thankfully I had a relationship with Phylicia from previous work experience and I called her and she graciously offered me the role and I’m having the time of my life. It’s a tour de force role for me in that you get to experience every emotion possible in two and a half hours.

 

LAWT: What does it mean to you to have Phylicia Rashad directing the production?

 

Damon Gupton: This was one of the first plays that I was given to read in college. When Phylicia called about a year ago, I said there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from doing this play because you don’t get to live things like this often. The comradery--these types of connections only come along once in a blue moon. To have Phylicia as a director, it makes you want to pinch yourself. I can say that not only about her but Glynn [Turman] and Keith [David], these are icons. For me it’s been extraordinary because [Phylicia’s] breadth of experience, wisdom and gentle way of guiding you to be better has meant a lot to me.

 

LAWT: With careers spanning over four decades, how have your life experiences impacted your work?

 

Glynn Turman: Acting is about truths and the more truths you’re able to tell and share with your audience the more connection there will be. Truths are a result of knowing yourself. At a certain age you start becoming brave enough to reveal yourself and it’s the revealing of who you are that enables you to dig deeper into different characters. You’ll get to a point where you can say: ‘I can relate to that’, ‘I know that’, ‘I don’t have to make that up’ and that resonates with people in the audience who can tell that you’ve been there.

 

Keith David: As actors we’re always trying to use our creative imagination. So it shouldn’t stop an actor at 25 from doing this play if the opportunity presented itself. It’s like when you read a great book at one point in your life then in another part of your life, when you read the same book, it’s like it was just written because now what you bring to the experience is so much richer. As Glynn was saying, as you get older your willingness to tell more of the truth is awakened and you don’t have to think about it or imagine it because now you know this to be true.

 

LAWT: In a recent showing of the play, the demographic of the audience was primarily older Caucasian couples. Why should a younger generation feel compelled to see this production?

 

Lillias White: It’s important because many of the same issues that are addressed in this play are still being addressed today in 2016. I want people to take away the laughter, the joy and the privilege of being an African American having survived what we’ve endured and we’re still able to find so much joy and light in our lives. This show has lots of elements of truth that need to be recognized. It’s great for everyone especially the Caucasian couples that come in that need to understand how we feel, how we look at life and how we’ve been able to deal with it.

 

LAWT: As a director, what are you hoping audiences gleam from watching ‘Ma Rainey’?

 

Phylicia Rashad: I want people to see some of their own humanity no matter who they are because I think that’s the strength of [August Wilson’s] work; he writes about specific people, from a specific culture, in a specific time and yet the messages and the themes of the play are universal. The themes of faith, questioning the presence and the reality of God, themes of self-love and friendship. This is a story about people of definite worth. I love that Wilson’s characters are salt of the earth people and he puts them where they belong, in the spotlight, so that we could see some of our own humanity.

In recent months, professional athletes have been boldly and bravely speaking out on the racial injustices that affect America. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has used his popularity as a catalyst to announce social issues.

 

Speaking out on racial injustices made Kaepernick’s No. 7 jersey the highest selling jersey on the NFL Shop website. The quarterback responded to the sales via social media, stating how he will donate the proceeds. Prior to his jersey sales rising, Kaepernick publicly stated he plans to donate $1 million to the groups that support people affected by police brutality and racial injustice.

 

Colin Kaepernick’s action has been a major topic in the NFL before the season officially started. A photo from reporter Jennifer Lee Chan showed the nation his act of  protest on August 26. He sat through the National Anthem for every game in the preseason.

 

After San Francisco lost to Green Bay in a 21-10 rout, his comments on why he sat down became the main focus.

 

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick said.

 

His remarks brought both joy and backlash. Many saw a hero, echoing the WNBA player’s act of wearing black shirts to support the Black Lives Matter movement and the four NBA superstars who introduced the ESPYS with a call to action to end gun violence.

 

President Barack Obama addressed the Kaepernick situation during a press conference at the end of the G20 Summit in China.

 

“My understanding, at least, is that is he’s exercising his constitutional right to make a statement,” Obama said. “I think there’s a long history of sports figures doing so,”

 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell noted that he does not agree with Kaepernick’s actions, but recognizes that athletes have a platform.

 

“I support our players when they want to see change in society and we don’t live in a perfect society,” Goodell said. “On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL.”

 

Others saw the act of sitting as “Unpatriotic,” and “Ignorant.” People believed his stance showed disapproval of the Military and their protection over America. Videos surfaced of people burning Kaepernick’s jersey.

 

The media swarmed around Kaepernick after a 49er’s practice session two days later. The quarterback stood before the press with his hair in a crown of natural curls, showing his support for the Military and vowed to continue his act of protest.

 

“I have great respect for men and women that fought for this country, “Kaepernick said. “I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought for.”

 

To add on to the controversy, Kaepernick had been wearing socks with pictures of pigs in police officer hats at practices.

 

Voices throughout the NFL rose up, explaining personal views of Kaepernick’s National Anthem protest. Teammates, like safety Antoine Bethea respected his motives. Even head coach Chip Kelly said that Kaepernick was within his “right as a citizen” to sit. Some like former 49er teammate and now Minnesota Viking lineman Alex Boone also noted their disapproval for the signal caller’s methods of bringing his message to light.

 

Military veterans took to Twitter to show their support for the quarterback with the hashtag #VeteransForKaepernick. News organizations researched the National Anthem, learning that lyrics in the second verse show how the Star Spangled Banner promotes racism.

 

“No refuge could save the hireling and slave/ from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave” the lyrics stated, referencing how slaves would fight for the British in the Civil War in order to earn their freedom.

 

NFL legend Jim Brown shared his opinion, saying that he agrees with Kaepernick’s views.

 

“I listen to him and he makes all the sense in the world,” Brown said on NFL Networks. “He’s within his rights and he’s telling the truth as he sees it and I am with him 100 percent.”

 

Los Angeles Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also weighed in on NPR about the issue.

 

“The fact that Mr. Kaepernick is willing to engage and willing to risk so much in order to bring attention to the issue,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “We have to admire him for that and respect his need to make the statement that he’s making.”

 

And there were risks. After San Francisco came in last in the NFC West last season with a 5-11 overall record, Kaepernick’s position as starter quarterback was in question. Back in 2012, Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

 

Kelly placed Kaepernick as the No. 2 quarterback for this season, rumors swirled about how the controversy was the reason why he was not a starter.

 

The controversial action Kaepernick took inspired others to sit out the National Anthem. At the final preseason game, 49ers safety Eric Reid kneeled next to his teammate who sported an even Afro.

 

This came days after Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane chose to sit during the national anthem of a Thursday night preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. Lane says he remained seated to show support for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “I just like what he’s doing, and I’m standing behind him,” Lane said. “It’s something I plan on keep on doing, until I feel like justice is being served.”

 

World Cup Champion Megan Rapinoe took a knee during a National Women’s Soccer League to stand in solidarity of Kaepernick.

 

Commentary continues to swirl around Kaepernick’s actions. Many become passionate about his action but fail to address motives for sitting. Celebrities and other athletes like singer Trey Songz and Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker have shown their support.

 

Baltimore Ravens Tight End Benjamin Watson expressed that he will continue to stand to preserve Kaepernick’s right to sit down.

 

“From the country’s inception, such displays against the status quo are distinctly American,” Watson stated via Facebook. “My hope, though is that these actions bring more attention to the PROBLEM than the PROTESTOR.”

 

Kaepernick noted how he is not pressuring other players and teammates to join him in his protest.

 

(AP Photos)

“It is a great day in L.A.,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti to the city council chamber full of Lakers fans. The city of Los Angeles announced August 24 to be “Kobe Bryant Day,” the date commemorating the two numbers that he wore during his career.

 

“That unbreakable spirit you demonstrated since you were 17 years old in this city makes it easy on this eight 24, August 24th, to declare Kobe Bryant Day in the city of Los Angeles,” said Garcetti.

 

The presentation touched upon various aspects of Bryant’s career, his 33,463 career points, and the work he has done with the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF).

 

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to be here,” Bryant said. “To say that today was surreal would be a massive understatement.”

 

The presentation started with a video showing Bryant’s career from the 1996 NBA Draft to his 60-point performance during his final game.

 

Several members of the city council showed their gratitude for Bryant through remarks and anecdotes. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Council President Herb Wesson, and Councilmember Jose Huizar stood beside Bryant and his family during the presentation.

 

They remarked on his efforts to battle against homelessness through collaborating with organizations like Step Up on Second and My Friend’s Place.

 

“What happened today was an amazing celebration,” Bryant said. “I hope that this legacy transcends beyond basketball.”

 

Wesson recalled winning a bet with a politician from Sacramento due to the Lakers beating the Sacramento Kings during the 2002 NBA Playoffs.

 

“If he won, I was supposed to wear a Kings warmup Jersey with a basketball and ring a cow bell,” Wesson said. “If I won, he was supposed to wear a Lakers jersey, ringing a cowbell and sing ‘I Love L.A.”

 

Fans cheered and exclaimed how Bryant was their hero and called him “G.O.A.T.”: the greatest of all time. They also serenaded him with the Happy Birthday song; Bryant’s 38th birthday was Tuesday.

 

 “He’s been here his whole career, all 20 years. Not too many big players can say that,” said Bryan Quarker, 24, who has been a fan of Bryant since the late nineties. “He represents the city, you can’t think about the Lakers without thinking about Kobe.”

 

Francois Verin, who works at City Hall as a management analyst, had been a Lakers fan since the days Wilt Chamberlain played for the team.

 

“[The] moment I became a Kobe fan probably was when they won the first championship, him and Shaq,” Verin said.

 

Bryant was the 13th overall pick in the 1996 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, but was traded to the Lakers the same night. The Lakers were his favorite team growing up.

 

“Everybody talks about the shots and the highlights that you’ve made. As a Laker fan, I sit there biting my nails over the shots you’ve missed,” said Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson. “What was most important and what stood out about you the most is that no matter what, you kept shooting and I think that’s a lesson to all of us and a lesson to this city.”