Footlight Players Theatre Proudly Presents the Classic African-American Production Raisin in the Sun Sponsored by The Hat Ladies
January 5, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – Footlight Players Theatre, the oldest continuously performing arts group in Charleston, is proud to present Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Henry Clay Middleton.
A Raisin in the Sun originally premiered on March 11, 1959 at the Barrymore Theatre in New York City, and the original Broadway cast included Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Ivan Dixon, Glynn Turman, John Fielder, Lonne Elder III, Ed Hall, Douglas Turner Ward, and Louis Gossett Jr. It was the first play, written by an African-American female playwright, to be produced on Broadway, as well as the first production directed by a black director (Lloyd Richards).
In 1961, Columbia Pictures released a film version—with the screenplay written by Hansberry—featuring the same cast. The film received several prestigious accolades including two Golden Globe nominations and the “Gary Cooper Award” (awarded to Director Daniel Petrie) at the Cannes Film Festival.
The story is based loosely on the experiences of Hansberry’s own family and portrays a few weeks in the life of the Youngers, an African-American family living in Chicago’s South Side.
Lena Younger, a recent widow and the family’s matriarch, wants to use her husband’s insurance money to buy a home for her family. This would free her family from the cramped South Side Chicago tenement that she shares with her two children, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Lena’s son Walter Lee is determined to invest the money in a business. Lena eventually gives him some of the money to put in the bank for his sister’s medical school tuition and the rest to use as he chooses. However, Walter Lee takes the entire sum and makes an unwise decision—losing all of the money.
Social and racial themes are intermingled as the plot unfolds. When the family’s future neighbors in Clybourne Park discover that the Youngers are African American, Mr. Lindner, from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, is sent to offer the Youngers a deal, which the family refuses even after Walter Lee loses the rest of the money in a bad business deal.
In the meantime, Lena’s daughter Beneatha rejects her wealthy suitor, George Murchison, whom she believes to be shallow and blind to the problems of race. Subsequently, she receives a marriage proposal from her Nigerian college friend, Joseph Asagai, who wants Beneatha to get a medical degree and move to Africa with him. The Youngers’ future seems uncertain and slightly dangerous, but they are optimistic and determined to live a better life.
The cast for Footlight’s production of A Raisin in the Sun stars DonnaLee Williams (Ruth Younger), Nellie Bloedoorn (Lena Younger), Chris Dowling (Karl Linder), Keith H.. Alston (Walter Lee Younger), Michael Smallwood (George Murchison), Carl Barnwell Jr (Bobo), Husain Williams (Joseph Asagai), Juanita B. Green (Beneatha Younger), and Jordan Jones (Travis Younger).
A Raisin in the Sun is sponsored by The Hat Ladies, who through their generosity and creativity will turn the Footlight Theatre lobby into a one-of-a-kind, “Lobby of Dreams.” Throughout the run of the show, The Hat Ladies will transform the lobby into a fantastical bizarre filled with a variety of items everyone dreams of owning. From local artwork and unique crafts to extraordinary accessories—one vendor can even help patrons foster dreams of homeownership.. There will be a drawing to win two tickets to Footlight’s coming 80th season, as well as, other door prizes throughout the duration of the run. 25% of all monies generated will be donated to The Footlight Players which will further the organization’s fundraising goals.
About the Director
Raisin in the Sun is directed by local actor and director Henry Clay Middleton and marks his return to the Footlight stage. He directed the theatre’s 2008 production of Crowns. Some of Henry’s other directorial credits include Of Mice and Men for Flowertown Theatre, Cross the Color Line for the 2009 Island Heritage Festival and Dying in Sin at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.
When he isn’t directing, Henry continues to act. His credits include the documentary Cheating the Stillness; The Julia Peterkin Story for PBS and a recurring speaking role on the Lifetime series Army Wives. His stage credits include Fences, The Piano Lesson, The Seat of Justice, A Raisin in the Sun, Lobby Hero, and King Lear. His resume also includes television commercials, a training film for The Department of Homeland Security and industrial films for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Blackbaud.
Performance dates for A Raisin in the Sun are January 28, 29; February 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 8:00 p.m. and February 6 and 13 at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, $15 for students, and $10 for children 10 and under. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 14, 2011 and can be purchased by calling the Footlight Players Box office at (843) 722-4487 or online at www.etix.com
Picture 1 L to R: DonnaLee Williams (Ruth Younger), Keith H. Alston (Walter Lee Younger), and Nellie Bloedoorn (Lena Younger)
Photo Credit: Richard Heffner
Footlight Players Theatre is the longest continuously performing theatre company in Charleston and has been producing performances since 1931. Presenting on average six Main Stage and two LateNight productions annually, Footlight Players is notably one of the leading community theatres in the South focused on providing quality entertainment for and by the community. For more information on Footlight Players, Inc. call (843) 722.7521 or visit FootlightPlayers.net
