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Hawthorne Players Final Show of Year Wows!
‘A Raisin in the Sun’ Is A Stirring, Thought-Provoking Theatrical Success!
by Pat Lindsey
The Hawthorne Players’ final theatrical production of 2018, A Raisin in the Sun, is a grippingly honest portrayal of an African American family living in a tenement on the south side of Chicago and the struggles they endure by trying to preserve their family pride while trying to break out of the poverty that appears to be their fate. Even though it debuted on Broadway in 1959, its issues of family conflict, poverty, education, race, and dashed dreams are as prevalent today as they were then.
The stars of this production are Jazmine Wade (Ruth Younger) as the daughter-in-law; Erick Lindsey (Walter Lee Younger) as her husband who craves success; Ashley Santana (Beneatha Younger) as Walter’s sister who wants to be a doctor; Kimmie Kidd-Booker (Lena Younger), the family’s matriarch; and Joshua Bruton (Travis Younger) as Lena’s 10-year-old grandson; and several outstanding supporting actors. Everyone delivers such an excellent performance that it is impossible to single out one super star, but special kudos must be given to young Joshua Bruton, who is a natural on stage.
The story takes place inside a rundown, roach-infested tenement that has only one hallway bathroom for several apartments. The family of five has been waiting for the day when “the check” would arrive–the $10,000 check from Mr. Younger’s life insurance. Even though the family knows that check belongs to his widow, Lena, every one of them has dreams of how that money could change his/her life.
The plot thickens when Lena decides to take $3,500 of that money to make a down payment on a house in an all-white suburban neighborhood. Lena then gives the remaining $6,500 to her son, Walter, with instructions to put $3,000 in savings for his sister’s college education and to make good decisions with the remaining $3,500. This is Lena’s way of relinquishing some of her authority in the family to make her son feel like a man and the new head of the household. What ensues is the most intense drama I’ve ever seen on the Florissant Civic Center Theatre’s stage. It drew me in so completely that I wished there wouldn’t be an intermission.
Director Nancy Crouse deserves a standing ovation for set design and her contributions to this thought-provoking and heartstring-tugging production. It’s as good as anything I’ve seen at STAGES or the Rep. And it was no surprise that the entire cast received a standing ovation on opening night.
Final performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 & 10, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for older adults and students, and $12 for groups of six or more. It’s a production not to be missed.
