Mary Louise Lee leads cast in a powerful musical version of ‘A Raisin in the Sun’
It’s been 50 years since Raisin won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and there’s an excellent opportunity to see it now in a solid and stirring production on stage at Town Hall Arts Center.
Based on Lorraine Hansberry’s seminal play A Raisin in the Sun, the production is directed by multiple award-winning director and choreographer Christopher Page-Sanders. This captivating production captures the original work’s essence and expands upon it through inspiring music and dance.
Set in Chicago during the 1950s, we are introduced to the Youngers, a Black working-class family, amid a financial spike. They have inherited $10,000 from a life insurance policy following their father’s death. As the adage goes, “Money can’t buy happiness,” and the Younger family struggles with their newfound money.
Walter Lee Younger (Micah J. Lawrence) wants to open a liquor store using the money — but not so fast. The family matriarch, Lena Younger (Mary Louise Lee), is interested in buying a house and providing for her family. Thrown into the mix is the cost of medical school for Beneatha Younger (Heidi Carann Snider), Walter’s younger sister, as promised by her mother. Also involved in the unsettling mix are Ruth Younger (Asha Romeo), Walter’s hard-working wife, and their son Travis (Blake Channing Taylor, alternating with Emmanuel Hamilton).
Wires get crossed between Walter Lee and Lena as he signs papers for the liquor store deal, and she purchases a home in a predominantly white neighborhood named Clybourne Park. There is not enough money to satisfy everyone’s wishes.
A representative from Clybourne Park, Karl Lindner (Bernie Cardell), comes along, offering to buy back the home Lena purchased for reasons unknown yet evident to everyone. Meanwhile, the liquor store deal has fallen through, leaving Walter Lee angry and inconsolable. In the final moments, the family decides whether to accept the building pressure to remain where they are or to move forward.
(L-R) Mary Louise Lee, Asha Romero and Emmanuel Hamilton in ‘Raisin’ | Photo: RDGPhotography
Mary Louise Lee lights up the stage
Having Mary Louise Lee on stage in a production is always an incredible thrill. As Lena, Lee exemplifies the caring mother along with that of a wise elder. She projects into the future by owning a home, albeit in a less-than-welcoming neighborhood. On the flip side, she is vehemently opposed to Walter Lee becoming involved with a liquor store. Among other songs, Lee’s rendition of “A Whole Lotta Sunlight” is a breathtaking interlude in the first act.
In the role of Walter Lee, Lawrence gives a forceful performance that reaches a pinnacle when his deal for the liquor store falls through. Lawrence, a recent UNC graduate, is charismatic in the role and closes the first act with a show-stopping rendition of “You Done Right.”
As Karl Lindner, Cardell resists overstating his efforts to oust the Younger family from Clybourne Park. Instead, he is spot-on with his smarmy characterization and slightly villainous overtones. Daja McLeod plays the Younger’s next-door neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, in a small but very funny role, providing great comic relief. The production touts a gifted ensemble, which is used extensively in collaboration with the musical numbers.
As director and choreographer, Page-Sanders maintains a solid focal point tied into Hansberry’s original play. He is adept at storytelling and uses musical numbers to further the story by employing the ensemble to contribute to each song with a revelatory dance. The production never falters and moves quickly from scene to scene with exact pacing.
Raisin is a thoughtful reawakening of Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, and the Town Hall production does not disappoint. It’s a great story supported by solid direction and a gifted cast headed by Mary Louise Lee. Playing through April 14, it is worth visiting Littleton to see this rarely produced musical.
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