A Raisin in the Sun: Denzel Washington to star

 


Confirming previoious rumors, Tony Award-winner and two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington will star as 'Walter Lee Younger' in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, opposite film, television and Tony Award-winning stage star Diahann Carroll as 'Lena Younger,' in her first Broadway appearance in over 30 years.

 

The production will be directed by Tony Award-nominee Kenny Leon ('Fences'). Previews begin08 Mar 2014, with opening night on03 Apr 2014 at the Barrymore Theatre, where the original production of A Raisin in the Sun opened 55 years ago. A Raisin in the Sun is a limited engagement, running 14 weeks only through 15 Jun 2014.

The production will also star Academy Award-nominee Sophie Okonedo ("Hotel Rwanda") making her Broadway debut as 'Ruth Younger' and Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose ('Caroline, or Change') as 'Beneatha Younger.'

Rounding out the cast are Stephen Tyrone Williams ('Lucky Guy') as 'Joseph Asagai,' Jason Dirden ('Fences') as 'George Murchison' and Tony Award-nominee Stephen McKinley Henderson ('Fences') as 'Bobo.' Additional casting will be announced soon.

Originally produced in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by an African American woman to be produced on Broadway. The Washington Post has called it "one of a handful of great American plays - it belongs in the inner circle, along with 'Death of a Salesman' and 'Long Day's Journey into Night.'" The New York Times has hailed it as "the play that changed American theatre forever".

Set on Chicago's South Side, A Raisin in the Sun revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee (Denzel Washington), his wife Ruth (Sophie Okonedo), his sister Beneatha (Anika Noni Rose), his son Travis and matriarch Lena, called Mama (Diahann Carroll). When her deceased husband's money comes through, Mama 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.

The creative team includes scenic design by Mark Thompson, costumes by Ann Roth and lighting by Brian MacDevitt.

A Raisin in the Sun will be produced by Scott Rudin.

Denzel WashingtonDiahann CarrollSophie OkonedoAnika Noni Rose

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