A Raisin in the Sun 1986 - Articles Page 2

Ages: 10+
Opened: July 23, 1986
Closing: September 21, 1986

A Raisin in the Sun - 1986 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Union Square Theatre
100 E. 17th Street New York, NY

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.

A Raisin in the Sun - 1986 - Off-Broadway Cast

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A Raisin in the Sun - 1986 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 2

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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 21, 2022


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by Lorens Portalatin - Sep 27, 2021


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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2020


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NYC Residences Of Georgia O'Keeffe And Patricia Highsmith Mapped As LGBT Historic Sites
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 19, 2019


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by A.A. Cristi - Jun 18, 2019


The Colorado Theatre Guild's 14th Annual Henry Awards will take place Monday, July 22, 2019 at the Lone Tree Arts Center, located at 10075 Commons St. Lone Tree, CO 80124. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and the awards ceremony will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a catered reception at the Lone Tree Arts Center. Tickets are $35 for CTG members, $40 non-members or $50 at the door. Tickets go on sale Tuesday June 18, 2019 at 1:00PM MDT through the Lone Tree Arts Center website at www.LoneTreeArtsCenter.org or by calling the box office at 720-509-1000.

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Photo Coverage: BroadwayWorld Remembers Those We've Lost in 2018
by Walter McBride - Dec 31, 2018


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SCFTA Presents Branford Marsalis Quartet & Yuko Mabuchi Trio
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 14, 2018


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Harris Center Welcomes The Return Of Jazz Great Branford Marsalis
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 5, 2018


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by Stephi Wild - Apr 16, 2018


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by BWW News Desk - Oct 20, 2017


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A Raisin in the Sun FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of A Raisin in the Sun have there been?
A Raisin in the Sun has had 6 productions including Broadway which opened in 1959, Off-Broadway which opened in 1986, Broadway which opened in 2004, Broadway which opened in 2004, Broadway which opened in 2014 and Off-Broadway which opened in 2022.

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