"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (Press Images)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

From left, director Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen arrive for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

From left, director Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen arrive for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

From left, director Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen arrive for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad arrives for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad arrives for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad arrives for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Debbie Allen arrives for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Debbie Allen arrives for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

From left, Debbie Allen, director Phylicia Rashad, actress Kate Burton and dancer Vivian Nixon arrive for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

From left, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, actress Kate Burton and dancer Vivian Nixon arrive for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad (center left) and the cast pose during the party for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad (center) and cast members celebrate during the party for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad (center left), cast member Lillias White (center front) and the company pose during the party for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad (center left), cast member Lillias White (center front) and the company pose during the party for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Director Phylicia Rashad (center left), cast member Lillias White (center front) and the company pose during the party for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

The cast during the curtain call for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

The cast during the curtain call for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

The cast during the curtain call for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

The cast during the curtain call for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

Cast member Lillias White waves during the curtain call for the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" CTG/Mark Taper Forum Opening

From left, cast members Keith David, Lillias White and actors Dawnn Lewis and Jesse Williams pose backstage after the opening night performance of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)