Lorraine Hansberry had the audacity to be the first Black woman to claim a space on a Broadway stage. Her words anchored a time period of change as this country began its transition from the period of Jim Crow to the rise of the civil right movement. It began to echo the undercurrent of discontent which created landmark changes in our country.
A Raisin in the Sun belongs in the catalogue of great American plays, like Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. All of these plays contribute to the stories of America and the ordinary people who comprise the families therein.
My introduction to this play was the national tour of the Broadway musical, “Raisin,” with Virginia Capers at the Shubert Theatre in Boston (circa 1975). I was young, and theater was magic.
I understood the voice of Beneatha when I was in college. I grew to appreciate the layers of Ruth as a grown woman. And now it is time to acknowledge that I am closer to Lena and she has my utmost respect. This story resonates across families, decades and generations. It is my honor to share this story with returning and new audiences.
I’d also like to say thank you to this talented team of actors, crew and designers. It has been an honor to work with all of you.
