The Lind House Association and New Ulm Actors Community Theatre announced today that the play reading on Tuesday, Sepetmber 11, 2012 for the Alice Lind Play Reading Society is the award winning drama written by Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun. The reading starts at 7 pm promptly at the Lind House located on the corner of Center and State Streets in New Ulm, MN. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are strongly recommended.
A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem “Harlem” (also known as “A Dream Deferred”) by Langston Hughes. The story is based upon a black family’s experiences in the Washington Park Subdivision of Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. With a cast in which all but one minor character is African-American, A Raisin in the Sun was considered to be a risky investment, and it took over a year for producer Philip Rose to raise enough money to launch the play. After touring to positive reviews, it premiered on Broadway on March 11, 1959. Waiting for the curtain to rise on opening night, Hansberry and producer Phillip Rose did not expect the play to be a success, for it had already received mixed reviews from a preview audience the night before. Though it received popular and critical acclaim, reviewers argued about whether the play was “universal” or particular to African-American experiences. The New York Drama Critics’ Circle named it the best play of 1959, and it ran for nearly two years and was produced on tour. A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway, as well as the first play with a black director (Lloyd Richards) on Broadway.
Volunteers will be asked to read parts throughout the evening. Depending on attendance, the leading roles may be read by several people for each act or scene. Persons attending do not have to read or may request smaller roles to read. The Alice Lind Play Reading Society series is held on the second Tuesday of every month at the historic John Lind House located at 622 Center Street, New Ulm, MN. Suggestions for future plays are encouraged. The complete list for the rest of the year can be found at www.newulmact.com or a copy of the season will be sent via US mail if requested.
WHAT: Play Reading of A Raisin in the Sun
WHEN: Tuesday, September 11 at 7:00 pm
WHERE: John Lind House, Center & State Streets
FEE: $5 Per Person, Includes Script
To make reservations, please contact NUACT’s Paul Warshauer at (507) 359-9990 or leave a name and phone number on the voice mail of the NUACT office phone, along with how many will be in your party. For more information about the Lind House, please contact Trudy Beranek at (507) 354-8802, email lindhouse@newulmtel.net .