Go Inside of The Public's Opening Night of A Raisin in the Sun

The Public Theater's Off-Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun officially openened at the Newman Theater October 25. The production, which began September 27, postponed its original opening night due to COVID cases within the company. The now twice–extended run will continue through November 20. Robert O'Hara is at the helm. Go inside the starry opening night below.

Francois Battiste and Tonya Pinkins lead the company as Walter Lee Younger and Lena Younger, respectively, appearing alongside John Clay III as Joseph Asagai, Bjorn Dupaty as Moving Man, Calvin Dutton as Bobo, Mister Fitzgerald as George Murchison, Perri Gaffney as Mrs. Johnson, Paige Gilbert as Beneatha Younger, Christopher Marquis Lindsay as Moving Man, Mandi Masden as Ruth Younger, and Jesse Pennington as Karl Lindner.

Battiste's son, Toussaint Battiste, alternates in the role of Travis Younger with Camden McKinnon. Rounding out the company as understudies are Almeria Campbell, Vann Dukes, Skyler Gallun, and N'yomi Stewart.

Hansberry investigates the American dream, racism, housing discrimination, and economic strife through the story of a Black family newly arrived in Chicago in this classic play, which premiered on Broadway in 1959.

The production features scenic design by Clint Ramos, costume design by Karen Perry, lighting design by Alex Jainchill, sound design by Elisheba Ittoop, sound system design by Will Pickens, hair and wig design by Nikiya Mathis, video design by Brittany Bland, and movement direction by Rickey Tripp. Prop management is by Claire M. Kavanah, with Teniece Divya Johnson serving as fight and intimacy director. Clarissa Marie Ligon is production stage manager and Andie Burns is stage manager.

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