Past Drama:
Kentwood Players presents
A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun
by Lorraine Hansberry
Directed by Harold Dershimer
Produced by Kathy Dershimer
January 8 – February 13, 2016

A Raisin in the Sun is the groundbreaking play which starred Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeill, Ruby Dee and Diana Sands in the Broadway production which opened in 1959. Set on Chicago’s South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis, and family matriarch Lena, called Mama. When her deceased husband’s insurance money comes through, Mama dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. However, her son Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man while Beneatha dreams of attending medical school.

The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama, centering on sacrifice, trust and love among the Younger family and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world. The play is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.

Character

CAST

Played by
Ruth Younger ············ Shannon O'Connor
Travis Younger ············ Isaiah Suber
Walter Lee Younger ············ Damon Rutledge
Beneatha Younger ············ Charlotte Williams
Lena (Mama) Younger ············ Patricia Newman
Joseph Asagai ············ Jean Michels
George Murchinson ············ Rashod Davenport
Mrs. Johnson ············ Ruth Featherstone
Karl Lindner ············ Daniel Kruger
Bobo ············ Kowalsky Lucien

CAST PICTURES

The Younger family portrait - clockwise - Mama (seated), Travis, Walter Lee, Ruth, and Beneatha
The Younger family hears from Mama that she went and bought them a house, shattering Walter’s dreams.
Ruth tries to get her son Travis to go get ready for school.
Ruth tells her son Travis to comb his hair because it looks like a chicken nest.
Walter Lee tries to convince his wife Ruth to intercede on his behalf and have a talk with Mama about his dream of opening a liquor store.
Ruth looks on as her husband Walter Lee tells his sister Beneatha that she should just be a nurse like other women.
Walter Lee has a father/son talk with Travis about dreaming big for his future.
Ruth watches her husband Walter’s reaction as Mama shares that there will be no investing in no liquor store.
Mama reminds Beneatha that in her house, there is still God, as Ruth watches in shock.
Beneatha begs her brother Walter Lee for forgiveness for ever wanting to be anything in this life as Ruth stands by praying their fighting will stop.
The cast of A Raisin in the Sun. Seated from left: Charlotte Williams, Shannon O’Connor, Damon Rutledge, Patricia Newman, Isaiah Suber; Standing from left: Rashod Davenport, Jean Michels, Kowalsky Lucien, Ruth Featherstone, Daniel Kruger
Walter Lee begs his Mama to invest her inheritance money into the liquor store he wants to buy.
Asagai shares his dreams of their future life together in Nigeria with Beneatha.
Travis tells his family about his new playmate outside, which happens to be a rat!
The family reacts to the new gardening hat Travis bought for his Grandma to wear at their new house. But bad news is about to arrive at their front door.
Photos by Shari Barrett

KENTWOOD PLAYERS

Westchester Playhouse
8301 Hindry Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(Click here for map)

310-645-5156
boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org