BENEATHA'S PLACE Begins May 8 in Baltimore

On Wednesday, May 8, CENTERSTAGE begins previews of the World Premiere production of Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah's new play, Beneatha's Place. The production, playing in rotating repertory with Clybourne Park, forms the second half of The Raisin Cycle. Opening Night for Beneatha's Place will be on Wednesday, May 15.

When Baltimore first met Kwame Kwei-Armah in 2005, it was as the playwright of the smash hit Elmina's Kitchen. Now, under his artistic leadership, CENTERSTAGE is ending its 50th Anniversary Season with his most recent work-Beneatha's Place. Inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, Beneatha's Place continues the conversation that began in Clybourne Park. The play explores identity, leadership, and legacy through the story of one powerful African American woman, following Beneatha Younger far beyond that iconic Chicago living room, from 1959 to today, and from her home in Nigeria to her career at a California university.
"As a playwright of color, even in Britain, the legacy of Lorraine Hansberry and A Raisin in the Sun looms large for me. I may have seen the play more often than any other," says Kwei-Armah. "In writing my own encounter with her seminal saga, I felt drawn to explore the nature of identity, community, and what it means to become a leader."

As part of this exciting endeavor, CENTERSTAGE's productions of Beneatha's Place and Clybourne Park will be featured this fall as a nationally broadcast PBS documentary examining the legacy of A Raisin in the Sun. The documentary special follows the process of mounting The Raisin Cycle, from first rehearsal through the opening of both productions. The title, and additional details, will be announced soon.

"A Raisin in the Sun is a powerful story of perseverance that arts followers have come to know and love, and we think our viewers will be just as interested in learning more about the Clybourne Park and Beneatha's Place storylines," said PBS Vice President of Programming Donald Thoms. "PBS is committed to giving millions of viewers a front-row seat and a backstage pass to the best music, theater, dance, art, and cultural history programs on-air and online, and we're excited that CENTERSTAGE will provide us with great content to feature this fall."

"We are honored to partner with PBS in this fantastic endeavor to expand the impact of CENTERSTAGE's work beyond our local audience," said Stephen Richard, CENTERSTAGE's Managing Director. "Bringing The Raisin Cycle, through television, to communities across the country is indicative of our belief in the power of theater to play a role in national conversations."

Beneatha's Place and Clybourne Park are being produced in rotating repertory as The Raisin Cycle using a single company of actors and a shared design team under the direction of Derrick Sanders. Clybourne Park opened April 10, and Beneatha's Place begins previews May 8, officially opening on May 15. On May 18, the two plays will begin playing in rotating repertory, running through June 16. Details and tickets can be found at www.centerstage.org, or by calling 410.332.0033.

The Raisin Cycle

CAST Clybourne Park Beneatha's Place
Kim James Bey* (n/a) Aunty Fola
Jonathan Crombie* Russ/Dan Peter Nelson/Gary Jacobs
Jessica Frances Dukes* Francine/Lena Beneatha Asagai Younger
Charlie Hudson, III* Albert/Kevin Joseph Asagai/Wale Oguns
Beth Hylton* Bev/Kathy Shirley Jones/Harriet Banks
Jacob H Knoll* Jim/Tom/Kenneth Jack L. Brownlee
James Ludwig* Karl/Steve Daniel Barnes/Mark Bond
Jenna Sokolowski* Betsy/Lindsey Mrs. Nelson/Female Student

Laura Smith* Stage Manager

Captain Kate Murphy* Assistant Stage Manager

ARTISTIC TEAM

Derrick Sanders Director
Jack Magaw Scenic Designer
Reggie Ray Costume Designer
Thom Weaver Lighting Designer
Elisheba Ittoop Sound Designer
Greg Bazemore Hair and Wig designer
Gavin Witt Production Dramaturg
Evamarii Johnson Dialect Consultant
Tara Rubin Casting Director

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