BWW Reviews: RAISIN IN THE SUN is Superb at the Everyman Theatre

This has been quite a season for plays dealing with the Black experience.  The sequel to Raisin in the Sun, Clybourn Park, returned to the Woolley Mammoth Theater  this past summer. The Arena Stage has recently remounted the wonderful Center Stage production of Trouble in Mind directed by their former Artistic Director, Irene Lewis.

And for Everyman patrons who enjoyed the terrific production of Stick Fly, it is now getting ready for Broadway starring Baltimore's own Tracy Thoms (produced by Alicia Keys).

For those unfamiliar with the classic play, it concerns an African-American family living in a tenement in Chicago.  When the mother, Leaner Younger, loses her husband,  the whole family anticipates the the letter carrier who will deliver the letter that will provide the proceeds of a life insurance policy in the amount of $10,000.

It is clear what Younger desires to do with the money...that is to move to the suburbs. She actually finds a nice home in the white neighborhood of Clybourn Park.  Finally, everyone would have their own bedroom and the family would not have to share a bathroom with other tenants in their apartment house.

But her son, Walter Lee, who works as a chauffeur (as in Driving Miss Daisy) has his dreams of owning a liquor store but he needs a down-payment. He looks at the $10,000 check as his escape from poverty.

Then there's the Clyburn Park Homeowner's Association which comes to visit the Youngers with a check to try to persuade the family NOT to move into THEIR community.

The cast is universally outstanding. Beginning with the wonderful actor Lizan Mitchell who plays Lena with such intensity and tenderness. Who can forget her role in the Everyman's Gem of the Ocean.

Dawn Ursula comes directly from the Woolly Mammoth's Clybourne Park. She was terrific in both roles.

Fatima Quander plays Beneatha who plans on becoming a doctor and discovers the beauty and history of her African background thanks to her Nigerian friend, Joseph Asagai (Eric Berryman).

In the pivotal role of Walter Lee, KenYatta Rogers can be at times scary, vulnerable, depressed, naive, and a loving father.

Everyman resident artist Kyle Prue is playing the role of Karl Lindner for the remainder of the run.

The role of young Travis is being split between Jaden Derry and Isaiah Pope who both must be having the times of their young lives.

Director Jennifer L. Nelson deserves the credit for making this entire production so memorable.

I'm thrilled the Everyman has been able to extend the run until Oct. 16. Don't miss it.

For tickets, call 410-752-2208 or visit www.everymantheatre.org.

Next up at the Everyman is Noel Coward's Private Lives running November 2 to December 4.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

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