A Raisin in the Sun

Lorraine Hansberry’
A Raisin in the Sun

Julianne Argyros Stage
Costa Mesa, CA

October 2023

Directed by Khanisha Foster
Scenic Design by Josafath Reynoso
Assistant Scenic Designer: Zach Young
Costume Design by Wendell C. Carmichael
Lighting Design by Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz
Sound Design by M. Glenn Schuster
Stage Manager: Natalie Figaredo

Produced by South Coast Repertory

Photo Credit: Jenny Graham and Robert Huske

Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” is a groundbreaking American play that unfolds in a cramped apartment on the south side of Chicago in the 1950s. The Younger family, consisting of matriarch Lena, her son Walter Lee, daughter Beneatha, and Walter’s wife Ruth, grapple with the enduring impact of racial discrimination, economic challenges, and deferred dreams. The narrative centers around a life insurance check of $10,000 received by Lena following her husband’s death. The family members each harbor distinct aspirations for the money, reflecting their individual struggles and aspirations. Walter Lee dreams of investing in a business, Beneatha aspires to fund her medical education, and Lena is determined to buy a house to provide a better future for her family. The play navigates themes of identity, societal expectations, and the pursuit of the American Dream, shedding light on the complexities and aspirations of African American families during a transformative period in American history.