A Raisin in the Sun

by Lorraine Hansberry

A Raisin in the Sun 2025

An American classic! A life insurance payout provides a path for Lena Younger to move her family from their cramped apartment on the South Side of Chicago to an affordable home in a historically white neighborhood. But racial intolerance threatens to turn their American dream into heartbreak. This 1959 masterpiece “changed American theater forever” (New York Times) and continues to resonate in our hearts today. In partnership with Acts on Stage.

Cast
Walter Lee Younger – Arlando Smith*
Ruth Younger – Shermona Mitchell*
Travis Younger – Channing Gistarb
Beneatha Younger – Deja Culver
Lena “Mama” Younger – Marlette Buchanan*
Joseph Asagai – Dimitri Woods *
George Murchison – Donovan Mahannah
Karl Lindner – Tim Gouran
Bobo – Jeffrey Cheatham II

Understudies
Walter Lee Younger and Bobo – Leon Huggins-Richards Jr.
Beneatha Younger and Ruth Younger – Hazel Rose Gibson
Lena “Mama” Younger – Melyssa Stone*
George Murchison and Joseph Asagai – Joshua Micah Webb

Travis Younger alternates:
Travis Younger – Blaise Gistarb
Travis Younger – Ajani Dickerson

*AEA – Actors’ Equity Association

Production
Director – Bretteney Beverly
Assistant Director – Brodrick Santeze Ryans
Scenic/Sound Design – Mark Lund
Costume Design – Erica Manzano
Propmaster – Catt Kerr
Lighting Design – Brian Engel
Stage Manager – Leila Cheung*
Dialect Coach – Gin Hammond
Dramaturgy – Sonja Lowe

Dates and Times

Single tickets on sale January 14. Group sales on sale January 7. (more)
Run Dates: March 19 – April 19, 2025
Pay-What-You-Can performance: March 26 (more)
Run Time: approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.
Start Time: All evening performances begin at 7:30pm.

Tickets

Price: $25-62, dependent on day and time; fees may apply
Ticket information: Click here for Matinee, PWYC, and other ticketing details.

Advisory

Age Rec: 14+ (children under 5 are never admitted)
Sensitivity Note: Strong language. Lorraine Hansberry’s script—an American classic—was groundbreaking at the time of its first production, and its themes and explorations of race, class, family, and dreams remain as powerful and relevant today as when the play first premiered in 1959. While some words and moments may make us—patrons and artists—uncomfortable, they are true to the harsh societal and systemic forces experienced by her characters (and by many people still today). We share this as a courtesy so you can engage with the story fully, knowing the care and deliberation behind her original script and our production. This show also uses a flameless simulated cigarette.
Public Health: Click here for health and safety policies.

Further Reading

Study Guide: A Raisin in the Sun Study Guide (PDF)
Read the Program: In your browser at Encore +, or as a downloadable PDF on Encore Spotlight

Highlights:

A Raisin in the Sun is must-see Theatre in March and April —Gemma Wilson, The Seattle Times
A Raisin in the Sun is one of “5 must-see art events are perfect to enjoy during these April showers, Nancy Guppy said these are the top events for spring.” —Nancy Guppy, New Day Northwest on KING5 (video, relevant portion begins at 3:20)

Reviews: