Following bouts of COVID in the company that saw performances canceled last weekend, The Public Theater's Off-Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun will now open October 25. Originally scheduled to open October 19, the production has also extended through November 13 to accommodate ticket rebooking.
Francois Battiste and Tonya Pinkins lead the company as Walter Lee Younger and Lena Younger, respectively, appearing alongside John Clay III as Joseph Asagai, Bjorn Dupaty as Moving Man, Calvin Dutton as Bobo, Mister Fitzgerald as George Murchison, Perri Gaffney as Mrs. Johnson, Paige Gilbert as Beneatha Younger, Christopher Marquis Lindsay as Moving Man, Mandi Masden as Ruth Younger, and Jesse Pennington as Karl Lindner.
Battiste's son, Toussaint Battiste, is alternating in the role of Travis Younger with Camden McKinnon. Rounding out the company as understudies are Almeria Campbell, Vann Dukes, Skyler Gallun, and N'yomi Stewart.
Hansberry investigates the American dream, racism, housing discrimination, and economic strife through the story of a Black family newly arrived in Chicago in this classic play, which premiered on Broadway in 1959.
The revival is directed by Robert O'Hara. The creative team includes scenic designer Clint Ramos, costume designer Karen Perry, lighting designer Alex Jainchill, sound designer Elisheba Ittoop, sound system designer Will Pickens, hair and wig designer Nikiya Mathis, video designer Brittany Bland, and movement director Rickey Tripp. Prop management is by Claire M. Kavanah with Teniece Divya Johnson serving as fight and intimacy director. Clarissa Marie Ligon is the production stage manager and Andie Burns the stage manager.
For more information visit PublicTheater.org.