Lorraine Hansberry’s drama “A Raisin in the Sun” will be performed in a partnership production by The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J) and the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City (BRTKC).
The show opened on March 11 for a 12-regular performance run, plus student matinees. Subsequent performance dates, with student matinees, include Wednesday, March 22 (9 a.m. student matinee; 7:30 p.m. evening show); Thursdays, March 23 (9 a.m. student matinee, 7:30 p.m. evening show); Saturdays March 18 and 25 (7:30 p.m.), and Sundays March 19 and 26 (2 p.m.). Tickets are now available at TheWhiteTheatre.org.
“A Raisin in the Sun” takes its title from a Langston Hughes poem entitled “Harlem.” Staged in 1959, Louise Hansberry’s play explores how “the American dream” has been deferred for any entire segment of the population, embodied by the multi-generational Younger family. The audience follows the family’s internal and external struggles as they attempt to improve their financial circumstances with an insurance pay-out following the death of the family patriarch.
This production of “Raisin in the Sun” marks the second collaboration between The White Theatre and the Black Repertory Theatre and is being once again underwritten by Theater League.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with The Black Repertory Theatre again, especially for such a classic as A Raisin in the Sun,” said Keith Wiedenkeller, managing artistic director of The White Theatre. “Last year’s collaboration on ‘Memphis’ was such a success, both financially and artistically, it just made sense for us to find another project that would work for both our organizations… These projects have been great for The White Theatre. They broaden our audience and talent reach and give us a chance to work with an amazing group of actors and artistic staff.”
Damron Armstrong, Founder and Executive Director of BRTKC as well as director of the show, echoed Wiedenkeller’s sentiments. “We at BRTKC are super excited to be partners with The J on this Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Our missions align, enriching our community by providing thought-provoking art that leads to conversation.”
Armstrong, who likes to create an immersive experience for the audience, said, “The design element for our production gives you the feeling you’re in the world of the play.” Armstrong hopes audiences will immerse themselves in the play and take away its important messages. “I hope it will open minds to expression and that which we forget we are soon to repeat,” he said.
Armstrong has assembled a talented cast of local performers from across the metro for this production of “A Raisin in the Sun,” with many credits at various theatres across the country.
Following “A Raisin in the Sun,” The White Theatre season will present another collaboration through its New Works Initiative, the musical “Vilna: A Resistance Story” partnering with The Culture House, as well as a one-man show with the support of The Truman Library Institute and Kansas City Actors Theatre. The season will close with the July 2023 musical and family favorite, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
The White Theatre is located at The J, 5801 W. 115th St., in Overland Park. The White Theatre box office is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as 60 minutes before curtain on performance days.
Full descriptions, cast information and performance times for each event are available at TheWhiteTheatre.org.