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A Raisin in the Sun Revival 2004

Ages: 10+
Opened: April 26, 2004
Closing: July 11, 2004

A Raisin in the Sun - 2004 Broadway History , Info & More


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.


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Counting Up the Tony Awards Already Won by the 2023 Nominees!
by Team BWW - Jun 10, 2023


The 2023 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or seven!) - amongst them, they've gathered a total 79 awards!

Counting Off the Tony Awards Already Won by the 2022 Nominees!
by Team BWW - Jun 11, 2022


The 2022 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or six!) - amongst them, they've gathered a total 61 awards!

Cast and Creative Team Announced For THE KITE RUNNER
by Stephi Wild - Mar 28, 2022


The cast and creative team for the Broadway-bound limited engagement of The Kite Runner at The Hayes Theater (240 West 44th Street) this summer.

Counting Off the Tony Awards Already Won by the 2020 Nominees!
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 25, 2021


The 2020 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or seven) - amongst them, they've gathered a total of 42 awards!

Narda E. Alcorn Appointed Chair Of Stage Management At Yale School Of Drama
by Julie Musbach - Nov 30, 2018


James Bundy, Dean of Yale School of Drama and Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, announced today the appointment of Narda E. Alcorn as Chair of the School's Stage Management Department and Stage Management Advisor at Yale Rep, for a five-year term beginning July 1, 2019.

Phylicia Rashad Chairs Arena Stage's THE BLOOD QUILT Premiere Celebration Tonight
by BWW News Desk - May 7, 2015


Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad will join Event Chair and Arena Stage Board member Shawna Watley (Senior Policy Advisor with Holland & Knight) as the Honorary Chair for The Blood Quilt World Premiere Celebration tonight, May 7, 2015. The new play by Katori Hall (The Mountaintop, Our Lady of Kibeho) is directed by Kamilah Forbes and runs now through June 7, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater.

Phylicia Rashad to Chair Arena Stage's THE BLOOD QUILT Premiere Celebration This May
by BWW News Desk - Mar 17, 2015


Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad will join Event Chair and Arena Stage Board member Shawna Watley (Senior Policy Advisor with Holland & Knight) as the Honorary Chair for The Blood Quilt World Premiere Celebration on Thursday, May 7, 2015. The new play by Katori Hall (The Mountaintop, Our Lady of Kibeho) is directed by Kamilah Forbes and runs April 24-June 7, 2015 in the Kreeger Theater.

Broadway Legend Audra McDonald to Open UH's Madison Artist Series in March
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 12, 2015


Audra McDonald has earned Tonys, Grammys and other accolades for her work on stage and screen. Soon, the multitalented performer will add another accomplishment to her extensive resume.

Mahaiwe Hosts Panel with Broadway's OF MICE AND MEN Producing Team Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Dec 20, 2014


The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center will present a live panel discussion with the producing team behind Broadway's Of Mice and Men in conjunction with the HD broadcast of the play by National Theatre Live tonight, December 20.

Mahaiwe to Host Panel with Broadway's OF MICE AND MEN Producing Team, 12/20
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 1, 2014


The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center will present a live panel discussion with the producing team behind Broadway's Of Mice and Men in conjunction with the HD broadcast of the play by National Theatre Live on Saturday, December 20. The pre-screening panel will take place onstage at the Mahaiwe starting at 7:00pm, followed by the 8:00pm broadcast. Panelists will include Broadway Producer David Binder, Marketing Director/Associate Producer Eric Schnall, Steinbeck Estate Representative Elizabeth Winick Rubinstein, and Executive Producer/General Manager Wendy Orshan, who will serve as moderator.

BWW Flashback: HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Closes on Broadway Today
by BWW Special Coverage - Jul 20, 2014


Holler If Ya Hear Me, written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, plays its final Broadway performance today after 30 performances. The Tupac inspired musical originally opened on June 19 at the Palace Theatre.

Tupac Shakur Musical HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, Starring Saul Williams, Will Close on Broadway This Sunday
by BWW News Desk - Jul 14, 2014


Broadway's HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, will close on Sunday, July 20 at the Palace Theatre. As of that date, the musical will have played 38 regular performances and 17 preview performances. HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME began previews June 2 and opened June 19.

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Producer Raising $5M to Keep Show Open
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 10, 2014


Broadway's Holler If Ya Hear Me opened to mixed reviews last month, but lead producer Eric L. Gold won't let that affect the show's open-ended run at the Palace Theatre. He recently told Variety that he hopes to raise another $5 million to keep the new musical open until ticket sales improve. When asked how long the show will remain, Gold told Variety: 'It's week to week right now. It can't tell you if it'll be two weeks or two months. It's an expensive game, and I'm the guy carrying the load financially. I made a rookie mistake by underestimating how much capital was necessary, but I'm tenacious.'

VIDEO: Cast of HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Performs 'Unconditional Love' on Good Day NY
by Caryn Robbins - Jul 9, 2014


Saul Williams and Saycon Sengbloh from Broadway's Holler If Ya Hear Me, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, performed 'Unconditional Love' on this morning's 'Good Day New York.'

VIDEO: Cast of HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Performs 'California Love' on GMA
by Caryn Robbins - Jul 8, 2014


The cast of Broadway's HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, performed on this morning's 'Good Morning America'. Check out the appearance below!

DVR Alert: Cast of HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Performs on GOOD MORNING AMERICA Today
by BWW News Desk - Jul 8, 2014


The cast of Broadway's Holler If Ya Hear Me, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, will perform on ABC's 'Good Morning America' today, July 8 in the 8am hour.

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME to Celebrate Members of the Military with Free Tickets, Today and Tomorrow
by BWW News Desk - Jul 4, 2014


Broadway's Holler If Ya Hear Me, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, has donated tickets to performances on July 4th and 5th to the USO of Metropolitan New York. These tickets will be given to members of the military from bases in the New York area in recognition of their generous service to the community and the work they do all year long.

DVR ALERT: Cast of HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME to Perform on GOOD MORNING AMERICA, 7/8
by BWW News Desk - Jul 2, 2014


The cast of Broadway's HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, will perform on ABC's 'Good Morning America' this Tuesday, July 8 in the 8am hour.

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME to Celebrate Members of the Military with Free Tickets, July 4-5
by BWW News Desk - Jul 1, 2014


Broadway's Holler If Ya Hear Me, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, has donated tickets to performances on July 4th and 5th to the USO of Metropolitan New York. These tickets will be given to members of the military from bases in the New York area in recognition of their generous service to the community and the work they do all year long.

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME's Williams, Pinkins, Sengbloh and Boone Set for Arise 30, Hot 97 FM This Week
by BWW News Desk - Jun 30, 2014


Tune in to see HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, on TV.

STAGE TUBE: HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Star Saul Williams Stops by MORNING JOE
by Stage Tube - Jun 30, 2014


Written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, Holler If Ya Hear Me is now playing at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street). In the video below, Saul Williams, who stars in the new Broadway play, featuring the music of the late Tupac Shakur, joins Morning Joe to discuss the production!

STAGE TUBE: Saul Williams Talks Playing the Lead in HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME on CBS
by Stage Tube - Jun 30, 2014


'Holler If Ya Hear Me', the first show of the new Broadway season, is based on the music and lyrics of the late rapper Tupac Shakur. In the video below, CBS 2's Dana Tyler talks with the actor and poet who plays the lead character in Broadway's first Hip-Hop musical - Saul Williams!

Broadway's HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Lines Up TV Appearances
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 26, 2014


Tune in to see HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, on TV: Fox5 News interviews HOLLER cast members Christopher Jackson and Tonya Pinkins tonight, Thursday, June 26 at 5pm. 'NYC Arts' will feature a segment on HOLLER tonight, Thursday, June 26 at 8pm on WNET-TV, Channel 13. CBS2 News' Dana Tyler interviews HOLLER cast member Saul Williams this Sunday, June 29 at 8am. MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' will feature a live interview with Saul Williams this Monday, June 30 in the 7am hour.

Tupac Musical HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME Opens Tonight on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 19, 2014


HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, is now in previews and will open on Thursday, June 19. Holler If Ya Hear Me, the world inside Tupac Shakur's music and lyrics, blazes to life in a non-biographical story about friendship, family, revenge, change and hope. Inner city lives struggle for peace against the daily challenges they face in this entertaining and original musical. Through the poetry of one of the 20th century's most influential and culturally prominent voices, we are given a window into realities of the streets still relevant today. BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek of the cast in action below!

AUDIO: HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME's Saul Williams on BBC Newshour
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 5, 2014


Saul Williams, the star of the new musical HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, recently talked with the BBC World Service Radio's 'Newshour' about bringing the words of Tupac Shakur to Broadway. Click here to listen.

A Raisin in the Sun History

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
   West End
West End

A Raisin in the Sun - 2004 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2004 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Teagle F. Bougere

Videos