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CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-1754, or Martha Campbell, (859) 312-8006
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UK Theatre Presents the Classic - "A Raisin in the Sun"
Bluegrass Audiences, More than 800 High School Students Invited
to Experience this Landmark Play of American Theatre
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 27, 2006) − The University of Kentucky Department of
Theatre will present American theatre classic, "A Raisin in the Sun," by playwright
Lorraine Hansberry as its second production of the season. The 1959 landmark play
explored a whole spectrum of African-American issues of beauty, identity and class and
would forever change the landscape of American theatre. UK's production of this
monumental play will run Nov. 30 – Dec. 10 at the Guignol Theatre, located in the UK
Fine Arts Building on Rose Street.
"A Raisin in the Sun" was a revolutionary work for its time. Opening in March of
1959, the play presented Broadway audiences with arguably the first realistic portrayal
of a contemporary black working class family in America. A first for American theatre on
many levels, Hansberry was the first black woman playwright to debut on one of
Broadway's prestigious stages and rising black director Lloyd Richards would make his
Broadway directorial debut. "A Raisin in the Sun" explored the whole spectrum of
societal and economic issues of black America. Using a story similar to her own upbringing in Chicago, Hansberry hoped the play would persuade white America to
remove barriers preventing blacks from fulfilling their dreams and challenge people of
color to redefine what those dreams should be.
"A Raisin in the Sun" ran for 530 performances, cementing its future as a classic
of American theatre and winning Hansberry a New York Drama Critics Circle Award for
Best Play of the Year. Hansberry was the youngest playwright, the fifth woman and the
An Equal Opportunity University
only black writer at that point to win the award. The production also launched the
careers of such stars of theatre and film as Ruby Dee, Sydney Poitier and Diana Sands.
The importance of this theatre work is evident still today, as UK prepares for its
production of "A Raisin in the Sun." Staging such a classic is not only important for the
entertainment value, but also for the message it provides its audiences.
“A decent play speaks to the audience of its time; a classic speaks to all
audiences throughout time,” said Herman Farrell, director of UK's production.
In light of its importance, the Department of Theatre has already extended its
normal run of seven performances to nine for "A Raisin in the Sun." Extra performances
will accommodate the interest of local high school teachers and students. UK will stage
two additional matinees for more than 800 students from high schools in Boyle, Clark,
Fayette, Franklin, Mercer and Woodford counties. This is one way the UK Department
of Theatre continues to provide unique outreach opportunities to local community
programs and schools. Such performances provide students with an invaluable
educational experience. Students who have the opportunity to see the play as it was
meant to be presented, on stage, garner a better perspective of Hansberry's words and
sentiments.
UK's production of "A Raisin in the Sun" is also a chance to see one of the
school's District Metropolitan Opera Audition winners, Brandy Lynn Hawkins, on stage.
Hawkins, who will portray Ruth in the play, is a graduate student studying voice in UK
Opera Theatre. Other student actors in UK's production include Debra Faulk as Mama;
Jarrett Pelzer as Walter Lee; and Morgan Persley as Beneatha. Faulk, who appeared in
UK's "Intimate Apparel," arrived at UK after a few years as a stand-up comedian in Los
Angeles. Pelzer, a native of New Jersey, is a theatre major who came to UK as a soccer
recruit. Persley, a native of Lexington, is a graduate of Fayette County Pubic School's
SCAPA program who made her UK debut performance in "Intimate Apparel."
Farrell, an assistant professor of playwriting, has approached the play from a
slightly different angle than most productions. Portions of UK's production will utilize an
expressionistic viewpoint, conveying externally the internal, subjective emotions of its
characters.
While it is not the typical production of "A Raisin in the Sun," UK's portrayal ". . .
will remain true to the rich text and hopefully take the audience on that journey into the
home and lives of one of the great families of world literature: the Younger family of "A
Raisin in the Sun," said Farrell.
Performances of "A Raisin in the Sun" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 –
Dec. 2 and Dec. 7 – 9 at the Guignol Theatre. A matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec.
10. Opening night there will be a reception for the audience and cast in the Tuska
Center for Contemporary Art following the performance.
Tickets are $15 for general admission; $10 for UK faculty and staff and senior
citizens; and $5 for students. For group rates, call the UK Department of Theatre at
(859) 257-3297. To purchase all other tickets, contact the UK Singletary Center for the
Arts ticket office at (859) 257-4929 or online at www.uky.edu/scfa.
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In striving to become a Top 20 public research institution, the University of Kentucky is a catalyst for a
new Commonwealth – a Kentucky that is healthier, better educated, and positioned to compete in a
global and changing economy. For more information about UK’s efforts to become a Top 20 university,
please go to http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/Top20.html.