A Raisin in the Sun 1986 - Articles Page 3

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 3

Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo to be Joined by Jason Hughes and Archie Madekwe in THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA?
by BWW News Desk - Jan 20, 2017


Full casting for Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? is announced today. Joining Damian Lewis and Sophie Okonedo, who play husband and wife Martin and Stevie in Ian Rickson's production, will be Jason Hughes as Martin's oldest friend Ross and Archie Madekwe as their son Billy.

Berkeley Rep Looks at the Years Following Roe v. Wade in ROE World Premiere
by BWW News Desk - Jan 13, 2017


Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the world premiere production of Roe written by Lisa Loomer and directed by Bill Rauch. Roe is a co-production with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Arena Stage.

Casting Announced for D.C. Premiere of ROE by Lisa Loomer
by BWW News Desk - Nov 22, 2016


Following an acclaimed run at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Lisa Loomer's world-premiere drama Roe makes its D.C. debut at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.

Sophie Okonedo to Join Damien Lewis in Edward Albee's THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA?
by Ashlee Latimer - Oct 21, 2016


It is announced today that the Tony Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor Sophie Okonedo will join Damian Lewis in a new production of Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?  Directed by Ian Rickson, the production will play a strictly limited 12 week season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 24th March to 24th June 2017.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Gets A Theater in the Park for the Summer
by BWW News Desk - Aug 27, 2016


August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Gets A Theater in the Park for the Summer
by BWW News Desk - Aug 26, 2016


August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn Gets A Theater in the Park for the Summer
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2016


August in August' is a brand new annual live performance series teaming Joseph Grant Jr., ambassador of arts and culture for the councilman and theatrical producer Andrea J. Fulton of the Anderson & Bert Cade Fulton Foundation. Joint efforts result in the mounting of August Wilson's Tony nominated Two Trains Running directed by Sabura Rashid as its upcoming offering starting August 26th 2016. The production of 'Two Trains Running' will be featured at Fulton Park in Brooklyn on Aug. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., and Aug. 27 at Herbert Von King Park from 4 to 7p.m. Both performances are FREE. August in August actually began Aug. 13 with the first installation of the series 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom performed at Fulton Park in Brooklyn, produced by the Bed-Stuy Theatre Group.

Seattle Repertory Theatre Sets HERE LIES LOVE, A RAISIN IN THE SUN & More for 2016-17 Season
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 21, 2016


Artistic Director Braden Abraham today announced Seattle Repertory Theatre's 2016-2017 Season. The season is headlined by the electrifying musical Here Lies Love from David Byrne (Talking Heads) and Fatboy Slim, a new production ofthe award-winning Broadway smash King Charles III, and the timeless classic A Raisin in the Sun. The season runs from September 2016 through May 2017, and subscriptions are available now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at (206) 443-2222, as well as online at SeattleRep.org. Single tickets will go on sale this fall.

Zadan & Meron to Bring Aaron Sorkin's A FEW GOOD MEN to NBC Live in Early 2017!
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 30, 2016


BWW has just learned that Emmy and Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin, the creator and mastermind behind the beloved NBC drama “The West Wing,” is returning to the network with a live presentation of A FEW GOOD MEN, set to air in early 2017.

DTC's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Returns to the Wyly Theatre
by Sally Henry Fuller - Nov 4, 2015


Dallas Theater Center's hit production of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol returns to the Wyly Theatre. DTC's Brierley Resident Acting Company member Christie Vela will be the first female director of DTC's adaption of the tale that follows a miserly old man on a magical journey of hope and redemption.

Garth Fagan Dance Tributes to Geoffrey Holder With DANCE FOR/WITH GEOFFREY This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - Oct 16, 2015


Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that Garth Fagan Dance will bring to Los Angeles Fagan's tribute to the late Geoffrey Holder, 'Dance for/With Geoffrey.' Performances at the 400-seat Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 W. Washington Blvd.) in Los Angeles will run this weekend, October 16-18, 2015.

Garth Fagan Dance Presents Tribute to Geoffrey Holder With DANCE FOR/WITH GEOFFREY, 10/16-18
by Christina Mancuso - Sep 16, 2015


LOS ANGELES, CA (September 15, 2015) Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT -  Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that Garth Fagan Dance will bring to Los Angeles Fagan's tribute to the late Geoffrey Holder, "Dance for/With Geoffrey." Performances at the 400-seat Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 W. Washington Blvd.) in Los Angeles will run October 16-18, 2015. www.ebonyrep.org

Ebony Repertory Theatre Presents THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, Now thru 7/19
by BWW News Desk - Jun 18, 2015


Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that they will present the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and Tony Award-nominated production of THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS starring Tony Award-winner Roger Robinson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone) as Oedpius. The acclaimed production, conceived and adapted by Lee Breuer (Mabou Mines' Trilogy) and music by Bob Telson (Lincoln Center Theater's Chronicle of a Death Foretold), is a soul stirring dramatic-musical which takes place within the framework of a Pentecostal church service set against the tragic Greek background of the story of Oedipus at Colonus, in which the exiled king Oedipus seeks a place where he may be properly buried. ERT's production, directed by Andi Chapman (Actors Co-op's Steel Magnolias - Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Director), will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Premiere. Performances will run tonight, June 18 - July 19, 2015 with an official press opening on Saturday, June 20 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

Ebony Repertory Theatre to Present THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, 6/18-7/19
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 24, 2015


Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that they will present the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and Tony Award-nominated production of THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS starring Tony Award-winner Roger Robinson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone) as Oedpius. The acclaimed production, conceived and adapted by Lee Breuer (Mabou Mines' Trilogy) and music by Bob Telson (Lincoln Center Theater's Chronicle of a Death Foretold), is a soul stirring dramatic-musical which takes place within the framework of a Pentecostal church service set against the tragic Greek background of the story of Oedipus at Colonus, in which the exiled king Oedipus seeks a place where he may be properly buried. ERT's production, directed by Andi Chapman (Actors Co-op's Steel Magnolias - Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Director), will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Premiere. Performances will run June 18 - July 19, 2015 with an official press opening on Saturday, June 20 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

Dallas Theater Center Presents Rolling World Premiere of COLOSSAL, Now thru 5/3
by BWW News Desk - Apr 2, 2015


?Dallas Theater Center announced today complete details for the rolling world premiere of Colossal, a new play by Andrew Hinderaker. DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty directs the Kennedy Center Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award-winning play, which is choreographed by founder and artistic director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance Joshua L. Peugh. Colossal begins with previews tonight, April 2 with a Pay-What-You-Can performance and runs through Sunday, May 3.

Dallas Theater Center to Present Rolling World Premiere of COLOSSAL, 4/2-5/3
by BWW News Desk - Mar 27, 2015


?Dallas Theater Center announced today complete details for the rolling world premiere of Colossal, a new play by Andrew Hinderaker. DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty directs the Kennedy Center Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award-winning play, which is choreographed by founder and artistic director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance Joshua L. Peugh. Colossal begins with previews on Thursday, April 2 with a Pay-What-You-Can performance and runs through Sunday, May 3.

BWW REVIEW: THE COLORED MUSEUM Celebrates and Skewers Black History
by Jan Nargi - Mar 17, 2015


It feels like it could have been written yesterday, but THE COLORED MUSEUM, now in a rollicking revival at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, Mass., was actually first produced in 1986. Written by the estimable Broadway playwright and director George C. Wolfe (Jelly's Last Jam, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches) and directed here with great panache by Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), this scathing "black black comedy" marches through 300 years of African American history by way of 11 funny but also penetrating living vignettes.

Photo Flashback: A Fond Farewell - Remembering The Stars We Lost in 2014
by Walter McBride - Jan 1, 2015


Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

Goodman Theatre Announces March-April 2015 Lineup for Citywide August Wilson Celebration
by BWW News Desk - Dec 17, 2014


Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with Chicago's various off-Loop theaters and Northwestern University, unveils partial programming in its spring 2015 citywide "August Wilson Celebration" -- an extensive retrospective of the late playwright's life, artistry and influence on American culture. The seven-week Celebration takes place in March and April 2015 on dual landmark occasions: the 70th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's birth and the 10th anniversary of his death.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Begins Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Dec 2, 2014


Milwaukee Repertory Theater brings its uplifting production of Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol to The Pabst Theater this December.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's A CHRISTMAS CAROL to Run 12/2-24
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 19, 2014


Milwaukee Repertory Theater brings its uplifting production of Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol to The Pabst Theater this December.

Review Roundup: Denzel Washington Stars in THE EQUALIZER
by Danielle DeSisto - Sep 26, 2014


Based on the television series of the same name, Denzel Washington stars in the new action thriller THE EQUALIZER.

Dallas Theatre Center Launches 2014-2015 Season with THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Now thru 10/19
by BWW News Desk - Sep 11, 2014


Sweet alien transvestites will take over the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre stage tonight, September 11, 2014 in Dallas Theater Center's all new production of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show.

Dallas Theatre Center Launches 2014-2015 Season with THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, 9/11 - 10/19
by Louisa Brady - Aug 15, 2014


Sweet alien transvestites will take over the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre stage on September 11, 2014 in Dallas Theater Center's all new production of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Show. DTC's Associate Artistic Director Joel Ferrell will direct and choreograph this gender-bending, rock 'n' roll spectacle.

Betty Buckley, Hallie Foote, Annalee Jefferies and Veanne Cox to Lead the Cast of THE OLD FRIENDS at Houston's Alley Theatre, Now thru 9/7
by BWW News Desk - Aug 15, 2014


The 'Alley Theatre @ UH' season begins with Betty Buckley, Hallie Foote, Annalee Jefferies and Veanne Cox in award-winning Texas playwright Horton Foote's The Old Friends, a Southwestern premiere.

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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