A Raisin in the Sun 1959 - Articles Page 4

Ages: 10+
Opened: March 11, 1959

A Raisin in the Sun - 1959 - Broadway History , Info & More

Belasco Theatre (Broadway)
111 West 44th St. New York, NY

Set on Chicago’s South Side, Lorraine Hansberry's celebrated play concerns the divergent dreams and conflicts in 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. Hansberry's portrait of one family’s struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.



. Upon its Broadway premiere in 1959, the play was a groundbreaking success for being the first play on Broadway written by an African American woman and the first with a Black director, Lloyd Richards. It brought to life the story of the Younger family's aspirations and struggles in Chicago's South Side, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike. In 1960, the play was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play, Best Actor in Play for Sidney Poitier, Best Actress in a Play for Claudia McNeil, and Best Direction of a Play for Lloyd Richards.



The play's significance extends beyond its Broadway success. It won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle award for best play in 1959, marking a major achievement for Hansberry and a pivotal moment for African American storytelling in the theater. "A Raisin in the Sun" not only ran for 19 months on Broadway but was also adapted into a 1961 movie starring Sidney Poitier and other members of the original Broadway cast. This adaptation further cemented the play's legacy, with Ruby Dee winning the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress, and both Poitier and McNeil receiving Golden Globe nominations.

A Raisin in the Sun - 1959 - Broadway Cast

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A Raisin in the Sun - 1959 - Broadway Articles Page 4

CLYBOURNE PARK Replaces GEM OF THE OCEAN this August at The Ensemble Company
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by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2021


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Residence of Lorraine Hansberry Listed to National Register of Historic Places
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2021


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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 9, 2021


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by Stephi Wild - Feb 17, 2020


Full casting has been announced for the 10th anniversary revival of Bruce Norris' seminal play Clybourne Park. Oliver Kaderbhai directs Alisha Bailey (Francine/Lena), Maddy Hill (Betsy/Lindsey), Andrew Langtree (Karl/Steve), and Richard Lintern (Russ/Dan), who join the previously announced Michael Fox (Jim/Tom), Imogen Stubbs (Bev/Kathy) and Eric Underwood (Albert/Kevin). The production opens on 30 March, with previews from 25 March, and runs until 2 May.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN Coems to Theatre Arlington
by Stephi Wild - Feb 4, 2020


In honor of Black History Month, Theatre Arlington will present Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning play, A Raisin in the Sun, opening on Friday, February 14th. This groundbreaking play is inspired in part by Hansberry's real-life experiences when her parents purchased a house in a a?oewhite neighborhood.a?? It is the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s and the Youngers have received a $10,000 insurance check and each of the adult members of the family has an idea of what they would like to do with the money. Three generations of the family are in conflict: Lena, the matriarch, dreams of moving to a better neighborhood; her son, Walter Lee, dreams of buying a liquor store; daughter Beneatha longs to attend medical school. As the Youngers argue over the best plan, this play brought to light many issues that were rarely discussed at the time, such as women's rights, inequality and lack of opportunity.

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'What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?'

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Bay Street Theater Announces Matching Grant For Literature Live!
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 18, 2019


Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the eleventh year of the Literature Live! program. This year's Literature Live! production will be Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Lydia Fort. Bay Street Theater is proud to present this classic work from the American Theater to both students and the general public in this, the sixtieth anniversary of the play's first production on Broadway. Public performances are Thursday-Saturday, November 14-16, 21-23 and Thanksgiving weekend Fridaya?"Sunday, November 29a?"December 1. Tickets are on sale now and available online at baystreet.org, or by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500.

TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK Set for Free Reading at Circle in the Square
by Julie Musbach - Sep 25, 2019


Celebrating the immortal words and trailblazing work of Lorraine Hansberry, The Circle Series will stage a special 50th anniversary reading of her posthumously-compiled work To Be Young, Gifted and Black on Monday, September 30 at 7pm. Produced by Circle in the Square Theatre School (Paul Libin, Present; Susan Frankel, COO), Pigasus Institute, and Rachel Shuey, the staged reading will be held at Broadway's Circle in the Square and is open to the public.

Bay Street's Literature Live! to Present A RAISIN IN THE SUN
by Julie Musbach - Aug 19, 2019


Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts announces the eleventh year of the Literature Live!program. This year's Literature Live! production will be Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Lydia Fort. Bay Street Theater is proud to present this classic work from the American Theater to both its student and public audiences in this, the sixtieth anniversary of the play's first production on Broadway.

Other Productions of A Raisin in the Sun

1959   Broadway
Broadway
1986   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2004   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2014   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2022   Off-Broadway Public Theater Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway

A Raisin in the Sun - 1959 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1960 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Play Lloyd Richards
1960 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Sidney Poitier
1960 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play Claudia McNeil
1960 Tony Awards Best Play Lorraine Hansberry
1959 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best American Play Lorraine Hansberry
1959 Outer Critics Circle Awards Best Drama Performance Diana Sands

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