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A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun

by Lorraine Hansberry

Critically-Acclaimed
Drama
Medium Cast (9-13)
Black Playwright or Creator
Written by a Woman

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A Raisin in the Sun

About the Play

A Raisin in the Sun





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.


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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

Cast and Creative Team

Playwright

Playwright
Lorraine Hansberry



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

Script
Play Script

Audiobook

Audiobook
Audiobook Read By Rutina Wesley, Mirron Willis, Judyann Elder, Corey Hawkins

Videos

DVD
Hollywood Version DVD
Blu-Ray
Hollywood Version Blu-Ray
DVD
TV Version DVD

Merchandise

Merchandise




Awards and Reviews

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

Your Reviews: Do You Love It or Loathe It?

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