RAISIN IN THE SUN @ MOXIE THEATRE

“Raisin in the Sun”: Moxie’s Ensemble Shines

By Kristen Fogle

The first involvement the audience has with Lorraine Hansberry’s “Raisin in the Sun” is through set designer Sean Fanning’s stage: intricately adorned and immediately plunging us into the era. Period photos, an adorable stove, faux brick outside the window, just a bit of peeling paint...each detail catches our eye and readies us to plunge into Hansberry’s historical piece.

“Raisin in the Sun” has so many times been referred to as a story of living and struggling, with hope being the sole means of surviving. More specifically, it’s the story of an African American family in Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s. Lena Younger (or Mama) is the matriarch of two children: Walter Lee Younger, who dreams of owning his own liquor stores, and the progressive 20 year old Beneatha Younger, who spends much of the play trying to decide between suitors. Also in the house are Walter’s sweet wife Ruth and their innocent son Travis.

When Mama tries to figure out what to do with a $10,000 life insurance policy received after her husband’s passing, the trouble starts. Walter thinks it should finance his dreams and is dismayed when Mama purchases a home in an all-white neighborhood—mostly because she fears pregnant Ruth will have an abortion if they do not find a larger, more suitable home for the family. After much moping, Walter gets some funding of his own from Mama, only to lose both his liquor store money and the funds meant to go to Beneatha for medical school. Karl Linder, the head of the “welcoming committee” of the new housing track stops by to make an offer so the family will not move, and in the midst of this new financial disappointment, the family must decide...do they take the money and stay, or look forward, making a life in a neighborhood where they are unwanted?

Hansberry is exemplary of the authors that Moxie tries to promote, strong women with positive, empowering messages. (“Raisin” was also quite forward thinking in its day, tackling hot button issues like racism and abortion.) Fans of the piece may be interested to know that Hansberry’s story is also loosely based on her family’s experiences and a real life lawsuit, Hansberry v. Lee, which dealt with a home association’s enforcement of racial restrictions.

Not only is the writing superb, as anyone who has read the novel can attest, but Moxie does not scrimp on high quality actors tackling these tricky roles. Most notable in particular is Mark Christopher Lawrence as Walter Lee Younger and the life force that is Sylvia M’Lafi Thompson (as Lena Younger or Mama). Both are members of Actor’s Equity Association; Lawrence is also an alum of NBC’s now defunct “Chuck,” Thompson has numerous theatrical credits (and awards) to her name. Additionally, Yolanda Franklin capably plays Ruth; Seventh grade LaTahj Myers captures the boyhood of Travis Younger well; and Kaja Dunn is fiery and compelling to watch as Beneatha Younger.

Moxie's own Artistic Director, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, winner of The Des McAnuff New Visions Award, several "Craig Noel" and "Patte" awards, and the Women's Internation Center Living Legacy Award, directs. (An impressive lady, she was also twice the recipient of the Van Lier Directing Fellowship through Second Stage Theatre in New York and an alumnae of the New York Drama League's Directors Program.)

So important is the message of “Raisin,” particularly in these hard economic times, of the power of achieving dreams even in spite of insurmountable obstacles. And because we can all use a reminder—those dreamers who are in for a remarkable set and an impressive ensemble...away to Moxie with you.

“The Raisin in the Sun”

Moxie Theatre

2/4-3/4

6663 El Cajon Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92115

(619) 460-7700

www.moxietheatre.com