Raisin In The Sun Celebrates 50 years.
Lorraine Hansberry’s Beloved Drama Reaches Another Milestone.
May 30, 2009
Fifty years ago, in 1959, Lorraine’s Hansberry's first play made its way to Broadway. Directed by Lloyd Richards, it opened to much acclaim and great reviews. The show had 530 performances in its initial run and won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play.
The Atmosphere In Which Raisin Was Born
Raisin’s entry into the world of theatre came at a time of great racial turmoil in America. Blacks were beginning to rebel against the heavy burden of racism that was placed on them. In the South, they were still under the heavy cloak of Jim Crow, and the Civil rights movement was about to gain momentum.
In the northern states, there was a bit more freedom; not much more, but enough to make them believe there was a chance of a better life, no segregation and no restrictions on what they can achieve. These are the stories that fill the plotlines of Raisin In The Sun.
The Younger Family Story
Raisin tells the story of the Younger family; son Walter dreams of running his own business and taking better care of his wife and son. Sister Beneatha wants to go to medical school. Mama Younger wants her daughter to finish her education and she wants a new home for the family. These dreams are fuelled by the insurance money awarded to the family after the passing of the elder Mr Younger.
The play starred many of the leading African-American actors of the day including Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia Mc Neil, Diana Sands, Lou Gossett and Ivan Dixon. Many of these actors went on to become giants in the American theatre and film landscape.
The plotline pitted the eager rebellion of youth against the strong, level-headed approach of the elders as Mamma Younger continuously butts heads with both her son Walter and daughter Beneatha. Walter is so frustrated by his job as a chauffeur that he is willing to grab at any con man that comes around peddling a dream of greatness.
Beneatha's rebelliousness was a joy for audiences to watch; her clashes with her mother provided many of the high points of the play. For example,her denial of God and the resounding slap she receives for uttering those words in her mother’s presence, and the disowning of her brother that brought a powerful, soul-searching response from her mother that included this line: “Child when do you think it’s time to love somebody the most? When they done good and made things easy for everybody? Well then you ain’t leaning because that ain’t the time at all.”
The Historical Impact of Raisin In The Sun.
Raisin made an impact on America, especially Black America, for many reasons. It was the first play by an African-American woman to play on Broadway. It was also directed by an African-American male, another first for Broadway.
It was a brilliant play that blended the politics of the time and their impact on the Black family. It was a play that brought immense pride not only to the creators, but to many of the people that were and still searching for a just American society.
In 2009 the 50th anniversary was celebrated with a 15-week run on Broadway. It was the first time the play had run on Broadway since its initial run. Toronto’s Soulpepper theatre produced it in 2008, directed by Weyni Mengesha.
For those who have never had the chance to see a stage production of this play, there is a film version with most of the wonderful original cast reprising their roles for the camera. Released in 1961, the film version of Raisin in the Sun received a special prize at The Cannes Film Festival that same year, then went on to captivate movie audiences the world over.
Go out rent it, buy it watch it and get caught up in the richness of a script that is still socially, politically and historically relevant today.
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