Jason Dirden Videos

August Wilson's hard-hitting 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' opened September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/ Mark Taper Forum. 'Ma Rainey...' is part of Wilson's American Century Cycle of 10 plays chronicling African American experience in 20th Century USA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the show below, along with behind the scenes with the cast and celebrities!

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun just opened last week at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). 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: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and matriarch Lena, called Mama. When her deceased husband's money comes through, Mama 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. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. Check out highlights from the production below!

The stars gathered last night to celebrate the opening night of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with all of the celebrity guests before they took there seats inside of the Barrymore. Check out interviews with Samuel L. Jackson, Kenny Leon, Spike and Tonya Lee and more!

The upcoming Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Kenny Leon, and starring Denzel Washington and LaTanya Richardson Jackson, begins performances Saturday evening, March 8 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (247 West 47 Street). Opening night is Thursday, April 3. The 14-week limited engagement run is scheduled through Sunday, June 15. The full company met the press yesterday and BroadwayWorld was there to chat with Washington and the rest of the gang about the revival. Check out what they had to say below!

Signature Theatre presents The Piano Lesson by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The production runs through December 16 and opens November 18 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the production below!

Ebony Theatre's production of Lorraine Hansberry's American classic 'A Raisin in the Sun,' playing at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre, opened last night with performances continuing through February 19, 2012. Cast members include (in alphabetical order) Kenya Alexander, Keith Arthur Bolden, Brandon David Brown, Kevin T. Carroll, Jason Dirden, Deidrie Henry, Amad Jackson, Scott Mosenson, Kem Saunders, Kim Staunton and Ellis E. Williams. In the video below, go behind the scenes of opening night!

Arena Stage's newest space, the Kogod Cradle, held its inaugural presentation, the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's exploration of hate crimes in the American South, 'every tongue confess,' an exploration of hate crimes in the American South, according to the Washington Post.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's every tongue confess, which opens the new Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle, the third theater space in the Mead Center. Director Kenny Leon (Broadway's Fences and last season's Stick Fly at Arena Stage) leads an ensemble cast featuring talent from across the country, including Tony Award-winner Phylicia Rashad teamed up with Jason Dirden, CrystAl Fox, Autumn Hurlbert, Jim Ireland, Leslie Kritzer, Eugene Lee, E. Roger Mitchell and Jonathan Earl Peck. every tongue confess runs November 9, 2010-January 2, 2011 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Yaya Dacosta is a formidable young actress who is making her mark in film with stand out performances in Take the Lead with Antonio Banderas and Honeydripper where she co-starred along with Danny Glover and Charles S. Dutton. On television she was last seen in a breakout performance in the Lifetime motion picture Racing for Time, as well as a recent featured role on All My Children. Fans of America's Next Top Model will remember her as a favorite contestant in the popular series third season. In the Signature Theatre Company's The First Breeze Of Summer, Miss Dacosta essays the pivotal role of 'Lucretia'. BroadwayWorld.com spoke with Yaya about winning the emotional role and bringing the powerful drama to life on stage.