For immediate release.
CAST IS SET FOR “A RAISIN IN THE SUN” AT CTG/KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE
The cast has been set for the critically-acclaimed Ebony Repertory Theatre production of
Lorraine Hansberry’s American classic “A Raisin in the Sun,” playing at Center Theatre Group’s
Kirk Douglas Theatre, January 19 through February 19, 2012. Opening night is January 22.
Joining the cast from the Ebony Repertory Theatre production is Kim Staunton, who has
been cast in the role of Lena Younger. Other cast members include (in alphabetical order) Kenya
Alexander, Keith Arthur Bolden, Brandon David Brown, Kevin T. Carroll, Jason Dirden, Deidrie
Henry, Amad Jackson, Kem Saunders, Scott Mosenson and Ellis E. Williams.
Phylicia Rashad will reprise her direction of the play that Frank Rich of The New York
Times said (in 1983) “. . . changed American theatre forever.”
The scenic design is by Michael Ganio, costume design by Ruth E. Carter, lighting
design by Elizabeth Harper and sound design by Bob Blackburn. The production stage manager
is David Blackwell.
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.
“The evergreen strengths of Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ come through
clearly in Ebony Rep’s near-flawless production . . . ,” said Bob Verini of Variety. “[Rashad]
maintains a balance between slice-of-life naturalism circa 1950s Chicago and the playwright’s
larger theme of deferred dreams, relevant to every era. Funny and suspenseful . . . this is a
revival to savor.”
F. Kathleen Foley of the Los Angeles Times said, “. . . Phylicia Rashad pours heart and
soul into her staging . . . [she] nails the play’s rich humor in a solidly rendered production.”
-more-
Cast Set for “A Raisin in the Sun” at CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre- 2
“When properly approached,” said David C. Nichols of Back Stage, “Hansberry’s magnum opus
ranks with the most enduring Golden Age classics, exactly what its vibrant Ebony Repertory
Theatre realization delivers.”
Lorraine Hansberry was 29 when “A Raisin in the Sun” opened on Broadway in 1959.
She was the first African-American woman to have a play produced on Broadway. The play won
the New York Drama Critics Circle Best Play Award and four Tony Award nominations (Best
Play, Director – Lloyd Richards, Actor – Sidney Poitier, and Actress – Claudia McNeil).
Hansberry died in 1965 during the run of her second play, “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s
Window.” Upon her death, Martin Luther King, Jr. described Hansberry as “. . . a woman whose
creative ability and profound grasp of the deep social issues confronting the world would remain
an inspiration to generations yet unborn.”
Phylicia Rashad starred in the 2004 Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun” and won
the Tony Award for Best Actress (Play), which was the first time in Tony history that an
African-American actress won in this category. Her other Broadway credits include “August:
Osage County,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Gem of the Ocean” (she starred in the world premiere
production at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum in 2003), “Jelly's Last Jam,” “Into the Woods,”
“Dreamgirls” and “The Wiz.” She has appeared in numerous movies and is well known on
television as Clair Huxtable in “The Cosby Show.” She made her Los Angeles directing debut
with the Ebony Repertory Theatre production of “Raisin.”
Established in 2007, Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT) is the resident company and
operator of the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. Founded under the leadership of
Producer Wren T. Brown and the late Artistic Director Israel Hicks, ERT's commitment is to
bring diverse, high standard, professional performing arts to the Mid-City community, as well as
the greater Los Angeles area, to engender business development along the Washington
Boulevard corridor, and to make the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center a cultural destination.
ERT’s mission is to create, develop, nurture and sustain a world-class professional theatre rooted
in the experience of the African Diaspora and shaped by a dynamic perspective that incorporates
an understanding of, and respect for, the unique African-American journey to freedom.
Tickets for “A Raisin in the Sun” 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., Culver City, CA 90232.
###
November 18, 2011- Updated 1/6/12