Denzel Washington’s co-stars for the revival of A Raisin in the Sun has been announced and the collection of actors producers have put together is impressive. The group is headlined by Tony winner Diahann Carroll and Oscar nominee Sophie Okonedo.
Washington confirmed that the revival is happening during an interview at the New York 2 Guns primere. Producers confirmed the production today by announcing the rest of the cast and when it will begin.
According to Broadway.com, the production will open at the Barrymore Theatre on April 3, 2014 for a limited, 14-week engagement through June 15. Previews will start on March 8.
Carroll became the first African-American woman to win a Tony in 1962, when she took home the award for her performance in the musical No Strings. She also performed on stage in House of Flowers and Agnes of God. Entertainment Weekly reports that this will be Carroll’s first Broadway role since Agnes of God in 1983.
Okonedo, nominated for her role in Hotel Rwanda, will join the cast, along with another Tony winner, Anika Noni Rose. The rest of the cast includes Stephen Tyrone Williams, Jason Dirden and Stephen McKinley Henderson. Dirden and Henderson co-starred in Fences with Washington, who won a Tony for the 2010 production.
A Raisin in the Sun is the classic drama written by Lorraine Hansberry, set in a Chicago apartment in the 1950s and centering on an African-American family. It premiered in 1959 and was revived in 2004. Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald won Tonys for their performances in that production.
Scott Rudin is producing the new production, with Kenny Leon directing.
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