Lorraine Hansberry News

The Public Theater previously announced TALKING ABOUT RACE: SCIENCE, POLITICS, ART 1959-1970-2014, a two-night Public Forum event this weekend, today, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m. in The Public's Anspacher Theater. Presented with Anna Deavere Smith Works at The Aspen Institute, The American Museum of Natural History and with in-kind support from the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at New York University, these two exciting evenings will combine performances of provocative historic conversations about race with an unscripted modern sequel.

Yesterday Julianne Moore hosted an afternoon tea in honor of Tony nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson, currently starring as Lena Younger in A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Held at Lady Mendl's at the Inn at Irving Place, an impressive group of women from theatre, film and television, including LaTanya's fellow Tony nominated costars Sophie Okonedo and Anika Noni Rose, gathered to salute LaTanya. Although she was unable to attend, First Lady Michelle Obama did send a note which was read aloud by Julianne Moore after Ms. Moore made a toast to LaTanya. Samuel L. Jackson and Bart Freundlich crashed the party to enjoy the afternoon with their wives.

Now in its 3rd year, Talawa Theatre Company's acclaimed new-writing festival, TALAWA FIRSTS will return between 11 and 27 June. Talawa Studios -- the company's dedicated performance space in Old Street -- will become a hub of activity for three weeks, showcasing and developing the best in Black British writing.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the next Roundabout Underground production Little Children Dream of God, a new play by Jeff Augustin, directed by Giovanna Sardelli. The cast and creative team will be announced shortly. Jeff Augustin is Roundabout's Playwright-in-Residence, generously supported by The Tow Foundation.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to announce its 2014-2015 Mainstage season. MET's seventeenth mainstage season will run from September of 2014 through June of 2015 and will feature a classic Shakespeare comedy, a German masterpiece, a World Premiere original, and contemporary crowd pleasers. Season subscriptions are on sale now at a special early bird rate. MET Artistic Director Tad Janes shared his excitement about all the plays, 'This season brings such great plays to the MET! Two very exciting newer plays, Clybourne Park and Good People, both have a great sense of humor, but also have a real depth of message. The Arsonists is a very funny, bordering on absurd, comedy, and we feature two excellent timeless pieces with The Elephant Man and Twelfth Night. Next season also brings a new MET created piece, brought to us by MET Mainstage writing alumni Reiner Prochaska.'

California Shakespeare Theater begins its 2014 season with one of the true trailblazing works in the American theater, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Patricia McGregor. A Raisin in the Sun plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from tonight, May 21 through June 15.

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, which is currently playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street), just released a 68-page digital souvenir book in honor of Hansberry's birthday, May 19. Click here to download the special souvenir book now!

The 2014 winners of the Lilly Awards, honoring women of distinction in American theater, were announced today by the Lilly Awards Foundation. The winners will be celebrated at the 5th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony set for Monday, June 2, 2014 beginning at 5 p.m. at Playwrights Horizons (416 W 42nd Street, NYC).

The 80th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon is being held this afternoon, May 16, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, where winners will be announced for Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award. This year's event, which began at noon, is hosted by Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson. BroadwayWorld is updating the winners live! Check back in to find out who took home the big awards!

Slant of Light Productions, based in Milford, CT is proud to announce their upcoming season for 2014/2015!

The SRO Theatre Company in Association with The King Arts Complex present an American classic, A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry . The show runs June 5 - 15, 2014, at the Shedd Theatre in the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215.

The Public Theater has announced TALKING ABOUT RACE: SCIENCE, POLITICS, ART 1959-1970-2014, a two-night Public Forum event on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 at 7:00 p.m. in The Public's Anspacher Theater. Presented with Anna Deavere Smith Works at The Aspen Institute, The American Museum of Natural History and with in-kind support from the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at New York University, these two exciting evenings will combine performances of provocative historic conversations about race with an unscripted modern sequel.

America-in-Play presents the premiere of A Time-Traveler's Trip to Niagra, Following the Bold Adventures and Strange Detours of an Unlikely Group of Travelers Across Time and America. Running through May 18 at the Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street), this unique comedy interweaves two journeys up the Hudson River: one by bus in 2014 and one by steamboat in 1828. From upper class Brits taking a tour of the Early Republic to a modern brother and sister taking a bus ride upstate to trace their roots, the two trips converge at the iconic and spectacular Niagara Falls and aim to investigate the relationship between the American landscape and identity while exploring ties between past and future. A unique 'Dime Museum' exploring Americana and the play will be open 30 minutes before each performance. Check out a first look below!

Nationally acclaimed Bay Area contemporary dance company Robert Moses' Kin is known for its eclectic movement vocabulary, demanding choreography, ferocious dancing, and provocative themes.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the national awardees of the 46th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-19, 2014. Dozens of students received scholarships, fellowships, and cash awards in recognition of their outstanding work. From January 7 through March 1, 2014, these student artists from eight regions presented their work and were selected to travel to Washington, D.C. for an expenses-paid trip to participate in National Festival events taking place at the Kennedy Center.

Co-Hosts Judith Light and Christopher Sieber announced the nominations for the 2014 Drama League Awards, including Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The 2014 Drama League Nomination announcement begins the month of celebrations leading up to the 80th Annual Drama League Awards, which will be held at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) on Friday, May 16, 2014 at noon hosted by Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

California Shakespeare Theater begins its 2014 season with one of the true trailblazing works in the American theater, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Patricia McGregor. A Raisin in the Sun plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from May 21 through June 15.

As Denzel Washington, Kenny Leon and Co. usher in the umpteenth renaissance of Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN, across the country, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is mounting a 50th anniversary revival of the only other work the Hansberry- who died at 34 - lived to see produced.

To be or not to be is no longer the question - critics and audiences agree that WITTENBERG is a hit. Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional 7 performances of the Bay Area Premiere of WITTENBERG, David Davalos' audacious comedy about reason versus faith. Josh Costello (San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Theatre Company, Impact Theatre) directs this smarty-pants celebration of history, language, academia, and religion, featuring Dan Hiatt (The Arsonists), Elizabeth Carter (Trouble in Mind), Jeremy Kahn, and Michael Stevenson. WITTENBERG plays now through May 11 (added performances: Tuesday, May 6, 7pm; Wednesday, May 7, 8pm; Thursday, May 8, 8pm; Friday, May 9, 8pm; Saturday, May 10, 8pm; Sunday, May 11, 2pm and 7pm) at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-50) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun opened last week at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Below you can check out photos of the cast in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride!