A Raisin in the Sun

The Setting of A Raisin in the Sun is 1950's Chicago. The patriarch of the Younger family has recently died, and the family is about to receive a check from the insurance company for $10,000. Each member of the family starts to make plans for the money. Ruth, the matriarch, wants a house for the family so her grandson can have a room of his own and maybe have a little dirt to grow something. Her daughter would like to use the money to attend medical school, and her son would like to use the money to buy a liquor store with his friends.

When the money arrives, Ruth decides the money needs to be divided with about a third going to each use. She puts the down payment on a house in one of the suburbs, and gives the rest of the money to her son to manage.

The first problem that develops is that the house proves to be in an all white suburb, and Karl Lindner arrives at the family apartment to buy them out of their home purchase. He clearly indicates that they are not welcome in their neighborhood, but the residences would like to buy their home a profit.

The second problem is the son gives all the money that was entrusted to him to his friends to facilitate their store, but the friend with the money disappears, and the money is gone with him. There is nothing for the store or his sister's education.

The family continues with its move to the new home.

In its day this play was a statement of the black situation. Now it is picture of the way things were in the 1950's. While some things have improved, the past must be remembered.

Only two of the actors were regulars with the Denver Center Theater Company. All the actors were very good in their parts, and it was a wonderful evening.