'There was a musical version of Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun?': this has been universal response of friends who knew I reviewing RAISIN. Even Dev Bondarin, the artistic director of APAC (Astoria Performing Arts Center) who directed the current production, only became aware of the show in college, during an historical survey of musical theater.
I will leave it to others to speculate why a musical nominated for nine Tony awards--including Best Original Score, Best Choreography, Best Book--and the winner of two statues (best musical and Best Leading Actress) has all but vanished from theatrical memory. But one hopes that Bondarin's production will restore Raisin to its rightful place in the musical theater canon, not because it takes up relevant social and political topics (which it does), but because it's a fine show with compelling music and lyrics by Judd Woldin and Robert Brittan and sharp, elegant by Hansberry's ex-husband and literary executor, Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zalztberg. (The cast album also won a Grammy in 1975.)
Lorraine Hansberry considered this to be her most important play. It was her final work. Directed by Gregg T. Daniel, Les Blancs depicts the waning days of colonialism crossing into the 20th century as it reveals the impossible moral choices faced by individuals who must reconcile personal happiness with idealism. What happens when what we want and what we think is right is not what must be done? This play is rich with music and dance and set in and around a mission compound in Africa. The time is yesterday, today, and tomorrow-- but not very long after that.
The award-winning Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) will present a limited engagement of the critically acclaimed musical Raisin this Spring. Winner of the 1974 Tony Award for Best Musical and based on Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking play, this timeless musical will return to New York City after a 42-year hiatus, May 4 - 27, 2017, at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (at 30th Road), Astoria, NY 11102.
The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) will present a limited engagement of the Tony Award-winner Raisin this spring. The musical, which won the Best Musical Tony Award in 1973, will return to New York City after a 42-year hiatus from May 4 to May 27, 2017 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (at 30th Road), Astoria, NY 11102.
The 'play that changed American theater forever' (New York Times) comes to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater for the first time ever this spring.
Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) presents their 16th season featuring two new works and one musical revival, which both tackle social issues including homelessness, immigration and race relations. 'We have a thrilling line up as we enter our 16th season at Astoria Performing Arts Center, and all of the work shares the resonant theme of home.
RAISIN, adapted from Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking drama A RAISIN IN THE SUN, has not been frequently produced since winning the 1974 Tony Award for Best Musical.
Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) presents their 16th season featuring two new works and one musical revival, which both tackle social issues including homelessness, immigration and race relations. 'We have a thrilling line up as we enter our 16th season at Astoria Performing Arts Center, and all of the work shares the resonant theme of home.
On May 24, The Lorraine Hansberry Awards, presented by Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith and Woodie King, Jr., New Federal Theatre Artistic Director, will honor five women: Micki Grant, Lynn Hamilton, Shauneille Perry, Dr. Glory Van Scott and Camille Yarbrough.
In conjunction with a production of playwright Lorraine Hansberry's final work, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, Goodman Theatre presents a Lorraine Hansberry Celebration (today, April 30, through June 5), curated by Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith.
In conjunction with a production of playwright Lorraine Hansberry's final work, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, Goodman Theatre presents a Lorraine Hansberry Celebration (April 30 - June 5), curated by Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith.
Casting is set for Lorraine Hansberry's LES BLANCS at the National Theatre this spring! The Daily Mail reports that Danny Sapani will lead the company. Performances begin March 22, 2016 on the Olivier stage.
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.
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.
'The show was simply dazzling!' so reports Jody Person, coordinator of the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Theatre Program. Originally performed earlier in February at the Trenton campus, 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black' comes to MCCC's Studio Theatre on the West Windsor campus for an encore performance on Friday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. The Studio Theatre is located next to Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
The Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Theatre Program presents 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black' at the Trenton Campus as one of the highlights of its Black History Month events. Performances are tonight, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. in Kerney Hall. Students from the college's Entertainment Technology Program will provide lighting and sound. Kerney Hall is located in MCCC's Kerney Building at 102 N. Broad Street. Parking is available in the garage across the street from the campus.
The Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Theatre Program presents "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" at the Trenton Campus as one of the highlights of its Black History Month events. Performances are Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. in Kerney Hall. Students from the college's Entertainment Technology Program will provide lighting and sound. Kerney Hall is located in MCCC's Kerney Building at 102 N. Broad Street. Parking is available in the garage across the street from the campus.
TimeLine Theatre Company, dedicated to presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, announces that The How and the Why by Sarah Treem (Netflix's House of Cards, HBO's In Treatment), directed by Keira Fromm and starring Janet Ulrich Brooks and Elizabeth Ledo, will be the third production of its 2013-14 season.
The power and lyricism of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lorraine Hansberry comes to life in the Actor's Co-Op production of TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK, currently onstage in their David Schall Theatre in Hollywood through March 17.
