The DePaulia

Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Andrea Tichy Students (from bottom left) Levenix Riddle, McKenzie Chinn, Kristin Ellis, and Brittani Green star in "A Raisin in the Sun."

Presented on the same stage the Chicago premiere of this play took place 50 years ago, the DePaul Theatre School will be presenting "A Raisin in the Sun," Feb. 5 through Feb. 13 starting at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 14 starting at 2 p.m.

"A Raisin in the Sun" is Chicago author Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning play about an African-American family in Chicago's South Side in the 1950s. The play will be presented at the Merle Reskin Theatre, which was once the Blackstone Theater.

"I think it is amazing that the actors and actresses are able to perform on the same stage as the original cast of the play," said the dramaturgy of the play and DePaul junior Alexis Links. "The original cast performed the play right here in the same theater we are presenting it in, immediately prior to going to Broadway."

The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, "A Raisin in the Sun" is the first play written by an African-American woman ever to be produced on Broadway. The play, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is one filled with inspiration and hope showing the struggles the Younger family faces as they prepare to move into an all white neighborhood.

"I think what is so great about this play is that although it tells a linear story it is also one of the most thematically rich plays," Links said. "Even though the play is specifically about an African American family, it is general enough for everyone to be able to relate to and enjoy."

"I believe everyone should come out and see this play," said junior and lead actress Kristin Ellis. "The audience will take from it a sense of community and how it takes everyone coming together as a whole to help each other succeed in this world."

"Also to never give up when obstacles and hurdles come your way because you will always have to fight for what you want in life. Never give up," she added.

The cast features Chris Boykin (George Murchison), McKenzie Chinn (Ruth Younger), Kristin Ellis (Beneatha Younger), James Gasber (Karl Linder), Brittani Green (Lena Younger (Mama)), Nicholas Harper (Bobo), Shannon Matesky (Mrs. Johnson), Sean Parris (Joseph Asagai), and Levenix Riddle (Walter Lee Younger).

DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre is located at 60 E. Balbo Drive at Michigan Ave., in Chicago. For tickets, call DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre Box Office at 312-922-1999.
For more infomation visit http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/theatre_school_showcase_0910_raisin.php.

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