by Jody Tuso-Key

Photo Credit: Casey G Ford

What would you do if you suddenly had $150,000? Would you save, invest, spend, or give some to your loved ones? Would it change your life drastically, or just be a nice addition to your income? Imagine you are living in the late 1950’s in a run-down two-bedroom with 4 other family members, 3 of them grown and you inherited $10,000? Your son has a sense of entitlement to the money and wants to use it to open a liquor store. You have religious objections to alcohol. Would you give him the money?

This is the premise of A RAISIN IN THE SUN. A critically acclaimed award-winning classic play written by Lorraine Hansbury that debuted on Broadway in 1959. It has since been remade into 3 films and a musical and enjoyed two Broadway and one Off-Broadway revival. The story of Walter and Ruth Younger (Amari Cheatom and Cynthia D Barker) live in the apartment with their son, Travis (Shamar Rasha Hill); their sister, Beneatha (Aleiga Burt); and their mother, Lena (Jen Harper). Lena receives $10,000 from her recently deceased husband and decides to use some of the money for a down payment on a house, choosing an all-white neighborhood because the house is less expensive. Eventually, a concerned neighbor, Karl Linder (Doyle Reynolds) appears at the door to try and dissuade the family from moving into the neighborhood and offers to give them their money back plus more in exchange. What will they decide to do? Is the money more important than their dreams?

This is usually where I add my own personal experience with a show, and for this one I have none, except for having heard of it as a great African American Classic. It’s just a show I never got around to seeing, but will now seek out the film versions as I really enjoyed it after seeing it and unpacking the material in my head for a few days. Theatrical Outfit in conjunction with Dominion Entertainment Group LLC painted a beautiful and authentic picture of this family. It was at times humorous, heartwarming, and also heartwrenching. It makes us think, and for myself, helped me see that I’m not alone. While I don’t live in abject poverty, as a teacher, my former self-employed husband and I stretched beyond our means to provide for our three children and pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck. Just when we thought we could get ahead, we’d be hit with a big bill from a leaky roof, faulty septic system, broken A/C system, unexpected medical bill, or some other financial disaster. I’ve played the lottery in hopes of winning, and looked forward to retirement, only to find that the money I won’t receive for 2 more years is barely enough to live and 82% less than I was making as a teacher. Like Lena, I’m not sure what I would do with today’s equivalent of $10,000 which today is $150,000, but I’m sure I could put it to good use.

Director Robert John Conner has assembled a top-notch cast and crew, which shows in the attention to detail in the set (Isabel and Moriah Curley Clay) and props (Leah Thomas). The costumes (Deondre’ Cumberbatch) were true to the time period. I especially enjoyed the vibrant African clothing worn by Beneatha as well as the subtle 1950’s tones of mustard yellow, burnt orange, and avocado green. The lighting (Mike Wood) sets the tone for each scene. I always feel good lighting subliminally evokes the mood and helps us know how to feel in each scene, which this lighting did subtly and efficiently. Finally, the muffled sound of the city outside the apartment (Jeremiah Davidson) was skillfully mastered.

Amari Cheatom as the ambitious Walter Lee brings a hint of George Jefferson to the part as a man unhappy with his station in life and wanting to make something of himself. He is both the protagonist and antagonist of the production–headstrong and self-assured, trying to assume his role as the man of the family who is at times overshadowed by his mother and the other women in the household. He’s defiant to his wife, belligerent to his sister, demanding to his mother, and loving to his son. A frustrated limousine chauffeur, he is obsessed with money and his lack thereof. Amari has credits Off-Broadway and has worked in Atlanta at Horizon, Alliance, and True Colors.

Jen Harper does an excellent job as Lena, the matriarch of the family. Lena, also known as Mama, is a humble and hard-working woman willing to sacrifice anything to help her children fulfill their dreams. Mama wants to use the money to buy a house and send Beneatha to medical school. She also gives a portion of the money to Walter Lee. Mama’s conflict with her children stems from her strong religious beliefs. Jen attended Atlanta’s own Spellman and Morehouse College of Medicine and has a Shakespearian background, spending time in London under the tutelage of Sir Ian McKellan, Alan Rickman, Judi Dench and Fiona Shaw. Not only is she an accomplished actor with many film credits, she is also an Atlata Physician, and writer/producer. We are so blessed to have her here in Atlanta in RAISIN considering what must busy schedule, and she delivered a stellar performance.

Cynthia D Barker as Ruth portrays a woman who takes care of the household. The play opens with Ruth in the morning waking the household and getting breakfast ready for her son and husband. She is a woman who is pragmatic and tired. She is recently found out she’s pregnant, and considers an abortion, much to Mama’s shock and dismay. Cynthia is a Suzi Bass winner, and has many Atlanta credits to her name. I enjoyed her character and she added some much needed elements of humor to this serious story.

Perhaps my favorite character is Beneatha played by Aleigha Bright. Beneatha is young and courting two beaus, Joseph Asagai (Marlon Andrew Burnley) and George Murchison (Stephen Ruffin). She is extremely intelligent and has plans to attend medical school. She’s playful and hopeful despite the family’s circumstances. She tells Walter Lee that the money is Mama’s and she should spend it how she wants, but is relying on some of it to pay her tuition. I find her name interesting as in included that word Beneath. Being the youngest, the name fits, but this character also has much going on beneath the surface and is definitely not ‘beneath’ anyone. Aleigh is a graduate of Columbus State and has only been acting in Atlanta for three years. She is a striking beauty and was a perfect cast for Beneatha. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does in the future.

As a semi-retired teacher I love seeing children in a show, and Shamar Rasha Hill as Travis Younger. Travis is the youngest in the house at 10 years old, a cheerful and helpful boy who is sheltered from the family arguments. He brings out the best in his dad. This character represents an literal element for hope for the future, and it would be nice if more families would shelter their children in this way. He is sent on errands when the family quarrels. Shamar is only 13, but has an extensive film, music, and modeling credits. He has a natural acting style and I’d love to see him in a musical soon as he is reported to also be a triple threat.

George Murchison is played by Stephen Ruffin. George is a social climber, attempting to fit in in a white society. He likes Beneatha for her intellect, but doesn’t really care for her and sees her as a means to an end. He is looking for a trophy wife–a girl who has status through a presitious degree, but he doesn’t plan for her to actually use it. He ridicules her when she dons African dress and hair, calling it a costume. He also cares nothing for her family and especially subjects himself over Walter Lee, thinking that Walter Lee is uneducated and below him. Beneatha soon learns George is not an acceptable beau for her. Reading Ruffin’s bio, I have a feeling he is the antethesis of the character he so convincingly plays. I’ve seen him at Shakespeare Tavern as both Romeo and Lysander, and I always enjoy his performances.

Marlon Andrew Burnley as Joseph Asagai, a fellow student of Beneatha’s, is from Nigeria and encourages Beneatha to explore her roots, giving her gifts of traditional African clothing and encouraging her to cut her straightened hair and wear it natural. He is the beau who truly cares for Beneatha. In the end, Joseph is the man she eventually chooses, as he wants to contribute to her growth in opposition to forcing her to assimilate into a white world. Marlon is an assistant professor at Kennesaw state as well as a director and I’m glad he made time in his schedule to bring this character to life.

Bobo, played by Anthony Gooslby is a minor character that serves as the bearer of bad news to Walter Lee as a cheating friend has taken off with Walter’s investment money. Anthony is an Atlanta actor, podcaster, and proud father who plays the part of Bobo as the messenger of doom in a memorable manner.

Last but not least, Karl Linder played by Doyle Reynolds is the white homeowner’s association representative who visits the family to dissuade them from moving into the neighborhood. Doyle plays the part with the right amount of awkward and nervous demeanor that the character demands. He tries to appear chipper and friendly, but you can also tell that he’s uncomfortable carrying out his duties, even though he seems to have an underlying sense of conviction. I saw him in Book of Will at Theatrical Outfit, and feel he’s a wonderfully diverse character actor.

One personal note of advice I’d give is to put the spoilers aside and do you homework if you haven’t seen this show and you will appreciate it much more. It is a complex story and you will miss many of the elements if you’re not familiar with the show. The teacher in me recommends you consult https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/raisin/. Of course, you’re welcome to go into the show cold and enjoy it from just reading this review.

Theatrical Outfit’s production with Dominion Entertainment Group LLC has been playing to sold-out crowds and they have extended their run. It will now be playing until October 6th. This show is Speakeysie recommended and we suggest you get your tickets ASAP at https://www.theatricaloutfit.org/.