Urban Appeal may come from Diddy

Sean Combs, the hip hop and fashion mogul, known to most as P. Diddy, debuted his latest project at the Royale Theatre in front of hundreds, in the revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, last night. Mr. Combs played Walter Lee Younger, the part that was made famous by Sidney Poitier on Broadway, when it debuted in 1959 and later in 1961 for the film version.

The play depicts Walter Lee's slow emergence into manhood. The plot is built around the struggling Younger family's dilemma over what to do with the $10,000 life insurance policy on Walter Lee's father, that has come due. It is directed by Kenny Leon and also stars Phylicia Rashad, and although the play itself drew anticipation and crowds a plenty, it is Mr. Combs who brings a somewhat urban attraction to the theatre that isn't seen much these days. It's not that his role resembles Combs' himself, but rather it's his status and aura in society that brings a curiousness and rarity to Broadway. As an untrained stage or film actor, Combs' attempt is one not often seen and in a sense admired, both in the acting and local community. His presence on stage may not resemble Denzel Washington or Samuel Jackson, but his effort and successful attempt are both commendable and inspirational and may draw more of an urban interest to the usually upscale Broadway.