Tennessee Rep Opens REPaloud Season With A RAISIN IN THE SUN Tonight, 8/16

Tennessee Repertory Theatre announced plans for REPaloud, the popular play reading series. The first staged reading of the 2012-13 season will be the classic drama A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. REPaloud will take place tonight, August 16 - 18 at 7:00 pm at Tennessee Rep's Rehearsal Hall (NPT Studio A, 161 Rains Avenue).

Set on Chicago's South Side, A Raisin in the Sun revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family. 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, however: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. Sacrifice, trust and love among the Younger family and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.

The selection of A Raisin in the Sun coincides with the production of Clybourne Park, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner that kicks off Tennessee Reps 28th season of live professional theatre. Clybourne Park is Bruce Norris's response to the Hansberry classic and runs September 8 – 22 (with previews September 6 – 7) at TPAC's Johnson Theater.

The cast for the staged reading of A Raisin in the Sun includes David Chatham, Nate Eppler, Alicia Haymer, Brandon Hirsch, Tony Morton, Rashad Rayford, Tamiko Robinson, Jackie Welch, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, and Shawn Whitsell.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre's REPaloud features staged readings of classic and contemporary plays. Other readings scheduled for the 2012-13 season include A Behanding in Spokane by Martin McDonagh in November and Mr. and Mrs. Fitch by Douglas Carter Beane in April. For more information on REPaloud, visit tennesseerep.org/repaloud.php.

Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, visit www.tennesseerep.org.