{"id":4692,"date":"2013-01-02T14:50:48","date_gmt":"2013-01-02T19:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/college.web.unc.edu\/?p=4692"},"modified":"2024-07-02T14:18:36","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T14:18:36","slug":"raisinclybourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collegearchive.unc.edu\/?p=4692","title":{"rendered":"PlayMakers presents \u2018A Raisin in the Sun\u2019 with \u2018Clybourne Park\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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“Raisin in the Sun”: standing, left to right, Miriam Hyman as Beneatha Younger, Mikaal Sulaiman as Walter Lee Younger, Dee Dee Batteast as Ruth Younger, Victor Waddell as Travis Younger and, seated, Kathryn Hunter-Williams as Lena Younger. (photo by Jon Gardiner).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

PlayMakers Repertory Company<\/a> offers audiences two insightful looks at race and the meaning of home in productions of \u201cA Raisin in the Sun\u201d and \u201cClybourne Park,\u201d to be performed in rotating repertory Jan. 26 to March 3. PlayMakers is the professional theater in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n

First produced in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry\u2019s landmark drama \u201cA Raisin in the Sun\u201d has become an acknowledged American masterpiece. Nominated for multiple Tony Awards, \u201cRaisin\u201d was the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway. The New York Times proclaimed that it <\/em>\u201cchanged American theater forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the groundbreaking story, proceeds from a life insurance policy give the Younger family hope for a better life. Can their \u201cdreams deferred\u201d be realized by moving into a home in an all-white neighborhood when they are confronted with conflicting desires within their family and racial prejudice outside their door?<\/p>\n

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“Clybourne Park”: (left to right) Constance Macy as Bev and Rasool Jahan as Francine. (photo by Jon Gardiner).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Written in 2009, \u201cClybourne Park\u201d by Bruce Norris takes up the story where \u201cRaisin\u201d leaves off \u2014 in 1959 with a white couple selling their home to the Youngers and causing uproar among their middle class neighbors. The second act fast-forwards 50 years with neighborhood demographics radically shifted and the first family of gentrifying whites about to move into what is now a predominantly black community. Times have changed, but what about the no-holds-barred conversation about race and the politics of community?<\/p>\n

\u201cClybourne Park\u201d was honored with the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play. The New York Times called it <\/em>\u201cthe year\u2019s slyest and bravest political comedy.\u201d The San Francisco Chronicle said the play \u201carticulates brilliantly, wittily and painfully our inability to talk about race.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRaisin\u201d will be directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges. She also helmed \u201cTopdog\/Underdog\u201d (2008) and \u201cI Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda\u201d (2010)\u00a0at PlayMakers.<\/em> \u201c<\/em>Clybourne Park\u201d will be directed by Tracy Young, whose work has been called \u201ctrue genius\u201d by the Los Angeles Times. <\/em><\/p>\n

Show times will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays (except Jan. 26) and Sundays (except Jan. 27, which is at 7:30 p.m.) There are opportunities to see both plays back-to-back on Feb. 2, 16 and 23 and March 2. On these dates, boxed dinners from Whole Foods Market will be available for purchase. On Feb. 2, a wine dinner at Bin 54 with transportation to and from the theater between \u201cRaisin\u201d and \u201cClybourne Park\u201d will also be available. Pre-ordering dinner when purchasing show tickets is recommended.<\/p>\n

All performances will be in the Paul Green Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road. Tickets are still available as part of the theater\u2019s 2012-2013 season subscription packages. Individual tickets are $15 to $50.<\/p>\n

For a complete performance schedule, to purchase tickets and to learn about community activities scheduled in connection with the run, call (919) 962-PLAY (7529) or visit www.playmakersrep.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

PlayMakers will host a series of special events under the banner, “A Dream Deferred: Urban Development and Gentrification in Contemporary America,” focused on themes of gentrification and displacement raised by the plays.<\/p>\n