‘A Raisin in the Sun’ opens in Culver City
Runs in conjunction with ‘Clybourne Park’
The critically acclaimed Ebony Repertory Theatre production of Lorraine Hansberry’s American classic, “A Raisin in the Sun,” opens at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, which opened Sunday, will continue through Feb. 19.
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.
The play is directed by Phylicia Rashad. The scenic design is by Michael Ganio, costume design by Ruth E. Carter, lighting design by Elizabeth Harper, sound design by Bob Blackburn and wig and hair design by Carol F. Doran. The production stage manager is David Blackwell. Frank Rich of The New York Times said (in 1983) the play ”. . . changed American theatre forever.”
In conjunction with the presentation of “A Raisin in the Sun,” CTG is presenting Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Clybourne Park” at the Mark Taper Forum. “Clybourne Park,” which began performances on Jan. 11, and will continue through Feb. 26, is a called natural complement to “A Raisin in the Sun,” as Norris imagines the history of one of the more important houses in literary history, both before and after it becomes a focal point in Lorraine Hansberry’s story.
Set in the 1950s, “A Raisin in the Sun” portrays an African American family and its pursuit of a better life while facing the obstacles of conflicting aspirations, betrayal and racism. Central to the story is a $10,000 life insurance payment that symbolizes freedom in various ways to each family member, including the possibility of buying the family’s first house, located at 406 Clybourne St. in Chicago.
Shining a spotlight on America’s struggle to overcome its past, “A Raisin in the Sun” pays tribute to those whose courage helped shape a future filled with faith in the fundamental decency and unlimited capacity of the human spirit.
Tickets are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office.
The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., in Culver City.
Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad is not to be confused with your average stage performer.
She’s a director now, and recently made her anticipated West Coast directorial debut while at the helm of the Ebony Repertory Theatre’s (ERT) spring production of Lorriane’s Hansberry classic drama, “A Raisin in the Sun.”
The play is on stage now through April 17, and each performance can be seen at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center.
A people newly delighted in liberty by federal decree yet tormented by popular scorn and legal indifference exemplified courage amid a rapidly changing national landscape during the 1940s. New citizens from Eastern Europe, the Orient and Latin America would call America home from New York City to Chicago, from San Francisco to Seattle, and from Louisiana and Texas and throughout the Southwest. As immigrants came to America, African Americans were also on the move, migrating from the South to better opportunities in a burgeoning new industrial age.
Going back to school can be the same old tedious ritual—shopping for school clothes, binders, protractors and the freshest kicks on the block. We spend endless hours in Wal-Mart and Staples making sure that our kids have every material needed to navigate the first day of school.
Education has historically represented a rite of passage for many American children.
For young Black kids, however, it’s a matter of survival.
“The Cage,” a play by local singer–songwriter–producer–playwright Audra A. Bryant, is set to open Sept. 1 at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.
According to the author, “The Cage” represents the obstacles in life all must face, whether created by society or self-imposed, and is designed to present a solution to escaping one’s own personal cage.
Famed Muhammad Ali photographer Howard Bingham, left, was among the guests who joined Shirley and Bernard Kinsey at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center last weekend for the kick off of the Ebony Repertory Theatre Black History Month celebration. The event featured a showing of the couple’s art and history collection called 'What You Didn’t Learn in High School.' The program continues throughout the month at the center.
