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About the Play
Lorraine Hansberry's domestic tragedy.
Story:
Set on Chicago’s South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis, and matriarch Lena. When her deceased husband’s insurance money comes through, Mama Lena dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. The Younger family’s heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.
Fun Fact
A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway, as well as the first with a black director.
NPR
Broadway Premiere
- Theatre
- Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Belasco Theatre
- Opening Night
- Mar 11, 1959
- Total Performances
- 530
- Original Cast
- Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Ivan Dixon, Lonne Elder III, John Fiedler, Louis Gossett, Ed Hall, Claudia McNeil, Diana Sands, Glynn Turman, Douglas Turner
- Director
- Lloyd Richards
- Producer
- Philip Rose and David J. Cogan
- Scenic Design
- Ralph Alswang
- Costume Design
- Virginia Volland
- Lighting Design
- Ralph Alswang
- Sound Design
- Masque Sound Engineering Company
2004 Broadway Revival
- Theatre
- Royale Theatre
- Opening Night
- Apr 26, 2004
- Total Performances
- 88
- Original Cast
- Sean Combs, Audra McDonald, Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Bill Nunn, David Aaron Baker, Lawrence Ballard, Teagle F. Bougere, Frank Harts, Billy Eugene Jones, Alexander Mitchell
- Director
- Kenny Leon
- Producer
- David Binder, Vivek J. Tiwary, Susan Batson, Carl Rumbaugh, Ruth Hendel, Arielle Tepper, Jayne Baron Sherman, Dede Harris, Barbara Whitman and Cynthia Stroum
- Scenic Design
- Thomas Lynch
- Costume Design
- Paul Tazewell
- Lighting Design
- Brian MacDevitt
- Sound Design
- Richard Fitzgerald
2014 Broadway Revival
- Theatre
- Ethel Barrymore Theatre
- Opening Night
- Apr 3, 2014
- Total Performances
- 85
- Original Cast
- Denzel Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Sophie Okonedo, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Eric Chappelle, David Cromer, Jason Dirden, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Bryce Clyde Jenkins, Billy Eugene Jones, Sean Patrick Thomas
- Director
- Kenny Leon
- Producer
- Scott Rudin, Roger Berlind, Eli Bush, Jon B. Platt, Scott M. Delman, Roy Furman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Ruth Hendel, Sonia Friedman/Tulchin Bartner, The Araca Group, Heni Koenigsberg, Daryl Roth and Joan Raffe & Jhett Tolentino
- Scenic Design
- Mark Thompson
- Costume Design
- Ann Roth
- Lighting Design
- Brian MacDevitt
- Sound Design
- Scott Lehrer
1961 Film Version
- Movie Name
- A Raisin in the Sun
- Type
- Hollywood Feature Film
- Director
- Daniel Petrie
- Screenplay
- Lorraine Hansberry
- Starring
- Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee
2008 TV Version
- Movie Name
- A Raisin in the Sun
- Type
- Made for TV Movie
- Director
- Kenny Leon
- Screenplay
- Paris Qualles
- Starring
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald
Scripts, Videos, Merchandise and More
Books
Audiobook
Videos
Merchandise
2023 Drama Desk Award Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Play
2023 Drama League Award Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Play
2014 Tony Award Nominations
Best Revival Of A Play
Best Direction Of A Play
Best Performance By An Actress In A Featured Role In A Play - Sophie Okonedo
Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role In A Play - LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Best Performance By An Actress In A Featured Role In A Play - Anika Noni Rose
2014 Drama Desk Award Nominations
Outstanding Actor In A Play - Denzel Washington
Outstanding Featured Actress In A Play - Sophie Okonedo
2014 Theatre World Award Nominations
Sophie Okonedo
2004 Tony Award Nominations
Best Actress In A Play - Phylicia Rashad
Best Featured Actress In A Play - Audra McDonald
Best Revival Of A Play
Best Featured Actress In A Play - Sanaa Lathan
2004 Drama Desk Award Nominations
Outstanding Actress In A Play - Phylicia Rashad
Outstanding Featured Actress In A Play - Audra McDonald
Outstanding Revival Of A Play
Outstanding Director Of A Play
2004 Theatre World Award Nominations
Sanaa Lathan
1960 Tony Award Nominations
Best Play
Best Actor In Play - Sidney Poitier
Best Actress In A Play - Claudia McNeil
Best Direction Of A Play
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