Fountain Square Players Brings “A Raisin in the Sun” to The Capitol Theatre: A Powerful Reflection on Dreams and Struggles

February 24, 2025 tim@sokyhappenings.com SOKY Events 0

This March, Fountain Square Players will stage a performance of Lorraine Hansberry’s iconic play A Raisin in the Sun at The Capitol as the first production of this season. This production not only promises to deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience, but also carries a significant cultural weight, offering a deep reflection on the American dream, racial identity, and the struggles of a working-class African American family in mid-20th century America. As the group brings this poignant and enduring work to the stage, it will surely resonate with both long-time theatregoers and newcomers to the scene, serving as a powerful tool for reflection and community engagement.

Fountain Square Players presents A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry.

First performed in 1959, A Raisin in the Sun was groundbreaking for several reasons. It was the first play by an African American woman to be produced on Broadway, and it laid bare the intricacies of the African American experience in a way that had never been done before on a major stage. Written by Lorraine Hansberry, the play centers around the Younger family, who live in a cramped apartment in Chicago. They are awaiting a life-changing $10,000 insurance check after the death of the family patriarch, and each member of the family has a different vision of how the money should be spent. Ruth dreams of escaping her current living conditions for the sake of her family’s future. Her husband, Walter Lee, yearns to invest in a liquor store to secure financial independence and social mobility. Beneatha, Walter’s sister, dreams of becoming a doctor and rejecting the expectations imposed on her by society and her family. Yet it is Lena Younger, the family matriarch, who ultimately holds the most influence over the fate of the check, as she dreams of a better life for her children and herself.

What makes Hansberry’s work timeless is its exploration of the human desire for dignity and the clash of idealism with societal realities. The title, taken from Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem,” asks a simple but haunting question: “What happens to a dream deferred?” The play explores what happens when people, particularly Black Americans, are denied access to the opportunities that would allow them to pursue their dreams. A Raisin in the Sun speaks not only to the plight of its characters but also to the larger social issues of racism, segregation, and economic inequality.

While the story is set in the 1950s, its exploration of dreams deferred, systemic injustice, and generational divides feels just as relevant today as it did more than six decades ago. In a time when conversations about race, equity, and the American dream are at the forefront of national discourse, Fountain Square Players is offering a powerful way for audiences to reflect on these issues in a deeply personal way. This performance is sure to serve as a living reminder of how art can spark social change. The play’s central message about the importance of family, identity, and hope amidst adversity will likely strike a chord with many who are struggling with their own dreams or who feel marginalized by society. As Fountain Square Players brings A Raisin in the Sun to life on the stage of The Capitol, the community has the opportunity to witness a piece of theatre that is both a product of its time and timeless in its resonance. This production will contribute to the ongoing dialogue about how we, as a society, value and pursue our dreams, particularly those of marginalized communities. It promises to be an emotional, thought-provoking, and necessary experience for all who attend. With themes that continue to resonate today, the production will surely spark conversations, inspire reflection, and bring the community closer together. It will remind us all that, no matter the obstacles, the dreams of individuals and families are worth fighting for.

Lena “Mama” Younger – Linda Hill

Walter Lee Younger – David Greer

Ruth Younger – Felicia Bland

Beneatha Younger – Mandy Taylor

Travis Younger – Alan Galloway and Mayeson Bailey

Joseph Asagai – Iajahnni Von

George Murchison – Darian Jackson

Carl Linder – Tom Haire

Mrs. Johnson – Sherry Mansfield

BoBo – Surprise announcement coming soon!!

Movers – Dwayne Mansfield and Carlos D. Bailey

March 13-15 at 7pm • March 16 at 2pm