When it was first produced in 1959, A Raisin in the Sun was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for that season and hailed as a watershed in American drama. A pioneering work by an African-American playwright, the play was a radically new representation of black life. "A play that changed American theater forever". The award-winning, now classic drama about a working-class African-American family on the South Side of Chicago--their hopes, their dreams, their aspirations.
Reviews
" A beautiful, lovable play. It is affectionately human, funny and touching. . . . A work of theatrical magic in which the usual barrier between audience and stage disappears." John Chapman, "New York News" " An honest, intelligible, and moving experience." Walter Kerr, "New York Herald Tribune" " Miss Hansberry has etched her characters with understanding, and told her story with dramatic impact. She has a keen sense of humor, an ear for accurate speech and compassion for people." Robert Coleman, New York" Mirror" " A Raisin in the Sun has vigor as well as veracity." Brooks Atkinson," "New York" Times " " It is honest drama, catching up real people. . . . It will make you proud of human beings." Frank Aston, New York "World-Telegram & Sun" " A wonderfully emotional evening." John McClain, New York "Journal American "