Friedman-Abeles/New York Public Library

Today marks the 62nd anniversary of the Broadway debut of Lorraine Hansberry’s landmark play A Raisin In the Sun. It was on this date that history was made as Hansberry was the first African American woman to have her play produced and performed on Broadway; it was also the first Broadway play to be directed by a Black person (Lloyd Richards). It opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater (and later moved to the Belasco Theater) on March 11, 1959, and played for a total of 530 performances before closing on June 25, 1960.

The play centers around the Youngers: a family of five that lives in a 2-bedroom apartment on the Southside of Chicago. Set to the backdrop of post-WWII, the family’s pursuit of success is driven by the idealization of the American dream; often thwarted by the consequential effects of racism, cultural appropriation and identity, and generational differences. Hansberry gives the reader, and oftentimes the performer, an eye-opening look into the Black experience in America with questions of freedom – educational and economic – ruling the conversation.

The play echoes many of the circumstances and accounts of the playwright’s family from the 1940 Supreme Court case of Hansberry v. Lee, which gave them a voice in the judicial system to fight against racial discrimination in the housing market.  Inspired by that, she wrote parts of her truth through the language of a family who only wanted their slice of the American pie; a slice that would feed their spirits in a world that starved them of their identity. 

A Raisin In the Sun has seen a long history on Broadway and around the world. After the original production was nominated in 1960 for four Tony Awards, the story became a universal tale of hope and success. The original production starred Hollywood leading man Sidney Poitier (later succeeded by Ossie Davis), Ruby Dee, Claudia McNeil, Diana Sands, Louis Gossett, Ivan Dixon, Lonne Elder III, John Fiedler, Glynn Turman, and Ed Hall. Multiple iterations of Hansberry’s classic have graced the stage and screen over the last 62 years: 

1961 film starring the original Broadway cast. 

Raisin (a musical based on A Raisin In the Sun) debuted on Broadway in 1973. The book was written by Hansberry’s former husband and starred Joe Morton, Debbie Allen, Virginia Capers (Tony winner for Lead Actress in a Musical), Ernestine Jackson, and Ralph Carter. It also won the Tony Award for Best Musical. 

1989 tv film starring Danny Glover and Esther Rolle.

2004 Broadway revival starring Sean Combs, Audra McDonald (Tony winner for Best Featured Actress in a Play), Sanaa Lathan, and Phylicia Rashad (Tony winner for Best Actress in a Play; also the first Black woman to win this award).

2008 tv movie event starring many of the leads of the 2004 Broadway revival. 

2014 Broadway revival at the Ethel Barrymore Theater (where it originally played in 1959) starring Denzel Washington, Sophie Okonedo (Tony winner for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play), Anika Noni Rose, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The production also won the Tonys for Best Revival of a Play and Best Direction for Kenny Leon (who also directed the 2008 tv movie). 

The title was inspired by the Langston Hughes poem “Harlem,” which starts out with “what happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” It is the hope in the midst of suffering and the strength in the midst of pain that makes this classic theatre work a blessing to the arts community.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Broadway Black honors Lorraine Hansberry. Your dream is a gift to us all.

The post A Dream Realized: On This Day In Black Theatre History A Raisin In the Sun Debuts on Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.

President and CEO of the Critics Choice Association, Joey Berlin said, “In a year when the need for entertainment was undeniable, the industry…delighted us, educated us, challenged us, and most importantly, brought us all together.” 

This year’s nominees include a Broadway Black roster of Tony winners and nominees.

Courtesy of HBO

Cynthia Erivo is nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role on the HBO series “The Outsider.” Erivo is a Tony- and Grammy-winning actress for her role as Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. 

CREDIT: SERGEI BACHLAKOV/NBC

NBC’s newest comedy, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” stars Broadway and “Glee” powerhouse, Alex Newell. Newell starred as Asaka, Mother of the Earth, in the Tony-winning revival of Once on This Island. He is currently nominated as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Image credit: Fargo

Comedian Chris Rock is stretching his dramatic talents in the FX drama “Fargo.” Nominated for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television, his stage credits include the Tony-nominated The Motherf**ker with the Hat. 

Courtesy of FX

Stage and screen star Uzo Aduba is now nominated for role as Civil Rights icon Shirley Chisolm in the FX series “Mrs. America.” An award-winning television star already for “Orange is the New Black,” she is no stranger to the theatre playing in shows such as Godspell and The Wiz Live!

Image credit: Fargo

Glynn Turman, recently off the release and debut of the Netflix adaptation August Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, is nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Televsion for “Fargo.”

Photo Credit: William Gray/SHOWTIME.

Tony-winning Hamilton: An American Musical star, Daveed Diggs, has been flexing his dramatic muscles since departing the original Broadway cast of Hamilton. He is nominated this year for Showtime’s “The Good Lord Bird” as Best Supporting Actor for a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for his role as abolitionist Frederick Douglass. 

*The Critics Choice Awards will be hosted by Broadway vet, Taye Diggs (Rent, Chicago, and The Wild Party) and air on The CW Sunday, March 7, 2021.

The post Critics Choice Awards Recognizes Broadway Talent appeared first on Broadway Black.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020): Viola Davis as Ma Rainey. Cr. David Lee / Netflix

When August Wilson said, “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief,” I’m sure he could not have imagined the lasting impact and legacy his works would have on American theatre. During a time when his voice is permeating the ethos of our artistic souls, his classic work Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom has reemerged as a testament to the brilliance that comes out of Black artistry. Viola Davis (three-time Tony Award winner) plays the title character, Ma Rainey, approaching the bluesy chanteuse’s nuances with gravitas. As she is no stranger to the words of August Wilson – having played leading female characters of his works on stage and screen – her role in this film hits chords that echo Black Lives Matter.

This film adaptation tells the story of Ma and her band recording several songs over a hot afternoon in the studio while also attempting to calm tensions between her white manager and producer. Throughout the film, she stands her ground, exuding confidence and courage that is reminiscent of the leadership Davis displays as a Black actress. She shares the screen with the late star of Marvel’s “Black Panther,” Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in August (his final on-screen role), Glynn Turman (A Raisin In the Sun and “A Different World,”) Colman Domingo (The Scottsboro Boys and “Selma,”) Michael Potts (Cabin In the Sky and Jitney,) Taylour Paige, Dusan Brown, Jonny Coyne, and Jeremy Shamos. It is directed by Tony Award-winning director George C. Wolfe, adapted for the screen by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and produced by Tony Award winner Denzel Washington.

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” begins streaming on Netflix on December 18, 2020.

The post Started From the Bottom: August Wilson’s Classic Finds It’s Home on Netflix appeared first on Broadway Black.

A Moon the Misbegotten. 

Six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald and Tony Award-nominee Will Swenson, take the stage in Nobel laureate Eugene O’Neill’s final masterpiece. When Phil Hogan, a salty tenant farmer, fears he will lose his property, his daughter Josie (McDonald), lures their dissolute landlord, Jamie Tyrone (Swenson), into bed one summer night. Under the glow of the moon, truth comes into focus for these two souls, but what awaits them when dawn breaks? Helmed by Gordon Edelstein and featuring scenic design by the world-renowned Ming Cho Lee, this raw and invigorating new look at O’Neill’s poetic and bitterly romantic A Moon for the Misbegotten assures us of the heart’s capacity for infinite love and forgiveness.

Glynn Turnman (Original Travis In A Raisin In The Sun)

A Moon for the Misbegotten also stars Glynn Turman, Aaron Costa Ganis and Howard W. Overshown. A Moon for the Misbegotten opens as a part of the Williamstown Theatre Festival starting with previews August 5 and an opening night of August 8. The show will run until August 23. Showtimes are Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. with a 2:00 matinee show on Saturday. Sundays shows are at 3:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 413.597.3400.

The post Audra McDonald, Glynn Turman Star in A Moon For The Misbegotten appeared first on Broadway Black.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN

Keep your eyes glued to @BroadwayBlack for the rest of the day as we honor #LorraineHansberry and her CLASSIC play #ARaisinInTheSun.

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

On this day in #BroadwayBlackHistory, in 1959 — Lorraine Hansberry’s classic #ARaisinInTheSun opened on Broadway. pic.twitter.com/VCABzIJEZG

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

The 1959 production of #ARaisinInTheSun starred Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands & @GlynnTurman. pic.twitter.com/ep1oxFSyjk

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

#ARaisinInTheSun marked the first time a play written by, and directed by a Black person, and about Black people was produced on #Broadway.

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

The New York Drama Critics’ Circle named #ARaisinInTheSun the best play of 1959.

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

#ARaisinInTheSun was nom’d in 4 categories at @TheTonyAwards in ’60. Best Play, Best Actor & Actress in a Play, Best Direction of a Play.

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

In 1961 a film version of #ARaisinInTheSun feat. the original Broadway cast was released. Hansberry wrote the script. pic.twitter.com/ruZnm0evK3

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

A musical version of #ARaisinInTheSun starring @JOEtheMORTON & @MsDebbieAllen took #Broadway by storm in 1973. pic.twitter.com/C25Ad4nxX3

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

#PhyliciaRashad, @AudraEqualityMc, & @justSanaa starred in a ’04 revival directed by @iamKENNYLEON. #ARaisinInTheSun. pic.twitter.com/BJKeVDi6Tj

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

#DenzelWashington, @AnikaNoniRose, #SophieOkonedo star in new @iamKENNYLEON-directed revival (’14). #ARaisinInTheSun. pic.twitter.com/u6Y1GEJNPu

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

The revival of #ARaisinInTheSun won Best Revival of a Play at @TheTonyAwards in 2014. Look at @AnikaNoniRose BEAMING! pic.twitter.com/K4HaueFEu1

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

#PhyliciaRashad is the 1st Black actress to win as Best Actress (Play) at @TheTonyAwards for #ARaisinInTheSun in ’04. pic.twitter.com/tOu85VHwu2

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 11, 2015

.@iamKENNYLEON took home his 1st Tony for Best Direction of a Play at @TheTonyAwards in 2014. #ARaisinInTheSun. pic.twitter.com/5Mki8GiBqq

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 12, 2015

#SophieOkonedo took home the Actress in a Featured Role medallion at @TheTonyAwards in 2014. #ARaisinInTheSun. pic.twitter.com/6HHsFxjL08

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 12, 2015

Thank you #LorraineHansberry, for your timeless classic #ARaisinInTheSun. We love and honor you today and everyday. pic.twitter.com/ZeR1WVlPXC

— Broadway Black (@BroadwayBlack) March 12, 2015

The post On Today: A Raisin In The Sun Opened On Broadway appeared first on Broadway Black.