Netflix film showcases a small piece of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — A small piece of Pittsburgh can now be seen on Netflix.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which was written by legendary playwright August Wilson, is now a movie.

It’s a story about a famous African American blues singer in a Chicago rehearsal studio in the 1920′s but it was filmed here in Pittsburgh.

If you watch closely, you’ll see familiar spots like Smallman Street, the exterior of a hotel on Brighton Road and West North Avenue.

“To be working on the August Wilson production in my own home city, 10 minutes from home with Viola Davis and Denzel Washington and Chadwick Boseman every day. It doesn’t get any more surreal than that,” said James Howard, who had a small role as a preacher in the film.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of 10 plays by Wilson that are being turned into movies. Denzel Washington is the producer. Ruben Santiago-Hudson is the film’s screenwriter and director. He is from Pennsylvania and has family in Pittsburgh.

“That meant a lot to me to bring any sort of impact whether financially or historically to Pittsburgh, to that area. It’s a great city. Pittsburgh has been great. People don’t even acknowledge how long Pittsburgh has been great, Santiago-Hudson said.

The entire $25 million project was shot in Pittsburgh. The film crew rented cars, stayed in local hotels, ate at restaurants and bough supplies from local stores.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is also Chadwick Boseman’s final film appearance before his death. The film is dedicated to his memory.

Boseman and Viola Davis are up for Golden Globe Awards for their roles in the film.

The Globes air Sunday Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. on Channel 11.

Cox Media Group