A Raisin in the Sun
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Cititour.com Review
Having previously helmed the 2004 revival (and subsequent TV film) of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” Kenny Leon clearly knows the ins-and-out of this groundbreaking 1959 play about a working-class Chicago family who, collectively and individually, are struggling to better their lives. So it’s hardly surprising that his mostly sterling new production at the Barrymore Theatre is filled with incisive characterizations and a deft balance of humor and sorrow that reminds us why this work is such an enduring piece of dramatic literature.
And yet this production would soar into the stratosphere if it hadn’t been for the central miscasting of Oscar and Tony winner Denzel Washington as Walter Lee Younger. Washington’s technical skills are hardly the issue; his line readings are near-perfect and the actor clearly exhibits a deep understanding of this man, deeply frustrated by both a family and a society that seems determined not to let him fulfill his dreams. But there’s no getting around the simple fact that the 59-year-old Washington is far too old – and emotionally strong – to effectively play Walter, who is essentially a man-child whose ultimate transformation into a true grown-up makes the show’s ending so powerful. (The revised script has him approaching 40, but that doesn’t work either).
Washington’s age and presence also throws off the balance with two of the play’s central characters – his strong-willed mother Lena (LaTanya Richardson Jackson), and younger sister, Beneatha (Anika Noni Rose), a medical student. He seems more like Lena’s husband and Beneatha’s father, than the pair’s son and older brother, respectively.
Nonetheless, Jackson (who is a mere five years older than Washington) gives a wonderfully realized performance as the pragmatic, somewhat stern yet loving Lena, and Rose does the best work of her considerable career as Beneatha, capturing both the young woman’s fiery spirit and naivete to the true workings of the world.
Somewhat more believable is the relationship between Walter and his long-suffering wife Ruth (Sophie Okenedo), whose marriage is strained by Walter’s drinking, fits of temper, and failure to fulfill his familial responsibilities. Okenedo, an Oscar-nominated actress, makes an extremely impressive Broadway debut here, although she occasionally overemphasizes Ruth’s hard edges, thereby slightly lessening our sympathies towards her plight.
Leon does quite well in casting all of the smallish supporting roles, including the charismatic Sean Patrick Thomas as Nigerian student Joseph Asagai, actor-director David Cromer as white “community organizer” Karl Lindner, Bruce Clyde Jenkins as Walter and Ruth’s 10-year-old son Travis, Jason Dirden as Beneatha’s snobby suitor, George Murchison, and the always wonderful Stephen McKinley Henderson in a glorified cameo as Bobo, a friend of Walter’s who drops by with some shattering news.
Even with the less-than-ideally suited Washington at its core, this “Raisin” still has plenty of juice. Indeed, it’s one of the season’s few must-see shows.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
http://www.raisinbroadway.com
Cast
Denzel Washington, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Sophie Okonedo, Anika Noni Rose, Stephen Tyrone Williams, David Cromer, Jason Dirden, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Bryce Clyde Jenkins
Open/Close Dates
Opening 4/3/2014
Closing 6/15/2014
Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 3/8/2014
Closing Open-ended
Box Office
212-239-6200
Theatre Info
Ethel Barrymore Theatre
234 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
Map
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