Lorraine Hansberry's breakthrough play, A Raisin in the Sun, made history yet again this past weekend after becoming Fordham's first - ever production with an all-black cast. Nearly 50 years after its momentous Broadway debut, and with a tremendous effort by our University's Black Student Union, ASILI, all students were welcomed to attend an inspiring and incredibly believable adaptation of the piece.
Set in 1950s Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun reveals the struggles and triumphs of a proud African-American family, who, like so many Americans, dream of owning a home of their own. The characters' encounters with the smothering racism of the time, in addition to their inner struggles with identity, present issues that remain relevant in many Fordham students' lives.
A major goal of the production was to address these past and present day matters by empowering students to "organize, mix, and learn about one another no matter what race or ethnicity they may be," director Angie Dugan said.
Dugan went on to say, "[A Raisin in the Sun] should open eyes to the experiences and struggles of the black family and inspire those students at Fordham who feel underprivileged to overcome whatever obstacles stand in their way."
Along with its valuable lessons, ASILI's production of A Raisin in the Sun presented a cast and crew of exciting, raw talent. In spite of its numerous acting debuts, the company delivered believable performances. The modest yet realistic set depicting the family's apartment provided audience members with an intimate connection to the characters' lives.
A particularly compelling scene between Mama, (Camille M. Johnson) and Walter Lee Younger (Amen Igbinosun, FCRH '10) in which the family learns that Walter has lost their money to a scheming friend, revealed the innate performing abilities of the production's two stars. While describing the experience as the best of her life, Johnson also noted how the opportunity helped her to realize her undeniably exceptional ability and love of acting.
2008 Woodie Awards
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