People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern) continues its 50th Anniversary Season with Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking drama A Raisin in the Sun, running Feb. 19-Mar. 30 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage.
Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, this revival marks the first time A Raisin in the Sun has graced the People’s Light stage since 1993, with Actress Melanye Finister – then making her company debut as Beneatha Younger – now taking on the iconic role of Lena “Mama” Younger.
Set in 1950s Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun tells the story of the Younger family as they grapple with dreams deferred, systemic racism, and intergenerational conflicts.a Following the death of the family patriarch, the Younger family must decide how to use the insurance money he left behind, with each member envisioning a different path to a better life. Hansberry’s powerful exploration of race, class, and identity remains a poignant and urgent call for social justice nearly 65 years after its Broadway debut.
“Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun is a landmark of the American theatre, as the first play by an African American woman to premiere on Broadway,” said Zak Berkman, People’s Light Producing Artistic Director. “It challenged perceptions of what a Broadway play could be in 1959 and remains an essential piece of theatre that inspires and challenges audiences today. Revisiting this play during our 50th Anniversary Season underscores our commitment to stories that illuminate the past while sparking conversations about our present and future.”
This production features a stellar cast, including Company Artists Finister and Eric B. Robinson Jr. as Lena Younger and Walter Lee Younger; returning Actors Todd Lawson, Gabe Moses, Keith Wallace, Kristopher King Clark, and Prince Peay; and Jalen Coleman, Nayeb Felix, Morgan Charece Hall and Candace Thomas making their People’s Light debuts. Longtime People’s Light Director of Design, Company Artist James F. Pyne, returns as Scenic Designer, joining Jerrilyn Duckworth (costume and wig design), DeAnne Doggett (lighting design), and Company Artist Curtis Craig (sound design) on the creative team. Andrew Watring is Associate Director and Sydnei Williams stage manages.
In addition to public performances, the run includes 12 student matinees, which will welcome schools and educational groups from all over the region.
Accessibility and Ticketing Options
Standard tickets for A Raisin in the Sun start at $49, with discounts available for youth, groups, and military personnel. Special access performances include:
- $35 preview performances from Feb. 19-22.
- Relaxed performance with American Sign Language Interpretation and Audio Description Sunday, Mar. 16 at 2:00 PM.
- Open caption performances from Mar. 25-30.
Relaxed Performances offer a “shush-free” environment where traditional theatre rules are relaxed. During the performance, audience members are free to move around, exit and enter the theatre, or vocalize. All are welcome, including individuals with sensory sensitivities, autism, other developmental or cognitive needs, or parents with infants.
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 610-644-3500, or in person at the People’s Light Box Office.
Learn more at People’s Light. Founded in 1974, People’s Light is celebrating its 50th anniversary as one of Pennsylvania’s most accomplished professional non-profit theatres. For five decades, the company has been a vital cultural and civic center known for its resident company of artists, a diverse array of productions, and innovative programming that engages young people and the broader community. As the theatre marks this milestone year, People’s Light continues to invite and create opportunities for diverse communities to discover and celebrate our shared humanity through the transformative power of live theatre.
