Harry Lennix says new production of 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' will be revelation for new age

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Stage and screen star Harry Lennix is back in his hometown of Chicago with the theater that staged one of his acclaimed performances in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

This time, he's behind the scenes on the creative team of the August Wilson classic.

The South Side native said he's thrilled to bring this rousing story to new generations at the Goodman Theatre.

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"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" has been a constant in the artistry of Lennix for decades. He's blending his creative efforts with director Chuck Smith at the Goodman, just as they did back in 1997. It was a massive hit.

Lennix is the associate and music director this time.

"We forged a brotherhood, a friendship, a camaraderie. I'm honored that he asked me to do it, he's my mentor. August Wilson came to one of our preview performance, wrote Chuck Smith a note that 'I've never seen a better production of this, thank you,'" Lennix said. "It brings back ghosts, so I think it's haunted, it's fraught with drama, it's fraught with trauma, it's fraught with great music, great humor and also great pain, kind of like life."

The performer reflected on how he sees the story today differently from when he performed it as a younger actor.

"I think that I can comprehend it even more fully, given the benefit of my aging and my evolution. That part in the play in particular of all of the things I've ever done, Hosea, it's the hardest play to come down from... It's hard not to have those words affect you," Lennix said. "The play is set in Chicago, so we feel a special ownership, a proprietary pride in it. This is my home theater. This theater gave me my first equity job, while I was still in college, while I was at Northwestern.

Lennix believes this new production of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" will be a revelation for a new age.

"There are some plays no matter how often you see them are different each time you see them. When we set out here, I said to the company, we can do the definitive production of this new millennium," Lennix said. "I think it will be the crowning production of this play for this new age. This was my first August Wilson encounter, and to come back to it after 30 years is an amazing gift."

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" has just been extended at the Goodman Theatre until May 3 by popular demand.