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| Walter thinks he is Da Man, Ruth isn't so sure! (Alabastro) |
I confess, I never saw 'Raisin in the Sun' by Lorraine Hansberry, on stage until now. I never saw the 1961 film starring Sidney Poitier, but I did see the stunning 2008 TV film starring Sean Combs and Phylicia Rashad and was somewhat familiar with the story.
In the new production at the Seattle Rep, you see from the get go of why this play is endearing Classic and still holds up today over 55 years later.
The Play isn't just about racism in 1960's Chicago, but more about Class-ism and working your butt off to get somewhere in life.
For the Younger family, waiting for their payday comes in the form of the late-patriarch's $10,000 life insurance payout and ideas of how to spend it. Walter Lee (Played by the Fab, Richard Prioleau) is tired of working as a chauffeur and wants to invest the money in a get rich quick scheme. His Mother, the old and wise, Lena (the incredible, Denise Burse) wants to buy a house away from the ghetto to show that they have accomplished the American Dream. Walter's Wife, Ruth (Mia Ellis), supports that idea, especially learning she is pregnant. Walter's Free-spirited sister, Beneatha (Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako) is a Med student, her Nigerian classmate Joseph Assangai proposes to her, wanting to take her to Africa with him after they finish school, but she is unsure what to do.
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| What will Lena do with the Money? (Alabastro) |
Prioleau plays Walter as the man you want to hate, but is so good at being a bully, that you understand.
Burse as Lena is fearless and is amazing to watch. Nako's Beneatha is fresh and vibrant.
The future seems uncertain and slightly dangerous, but they believe that they can succeed through optimism, determination, and remaining together as a family.
Most Classics that stand the test of times, are always the one to watch for and go back to.
‘A Raisin in the Sun’ by Lorraine Hansberry continues through Oct. 30 at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Click HERE for more info.
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