Reception, Silent Auction, & Theater

"A Raisin in the Sun"

Sponsored by Windermere Renaissance

"A Raisin in the Sun" debuted on Broadway in 1959.  The

title comes from the poem "Harlem" (also known as "A Dream

Deferred") by Langston Hughes, where he asks, does a dream

deferred dry up "like a raisin in the sun"?

The play portrays a few weeks in the life of the Youngers,

an African-American family living on the South Side of

Chicago sometime between WWII and the 1950's.  The matriarch

of the family, Mama, wants to buy a new house to fulfill a

dream she shared with her husband. Mama's son, Walter Lee,

would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store with

his friends.  He believes that the investment will solve the

family's financial problems forever.  Walter's wife, Ruth,

agrees with Mama, however, and hopes that she and Walter can

provide more space and opportunity for their son, Travis.

Finally, Beneatha, Walter's sister and Mama's daughter,

wants to use the money for her medical school tuition.  She

also wishes that her family members were not so interested

in joining the white world.  Beneatha instead tries to find

her identity by looking back to the past and to Africa.

"A Raisin in the Sun" was the first play written by a Black

woman to be produced on Broadway, as well as the first play

with a Black director (Lloyd Richards) on Broadway.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to create green,

sustainable housing in the City of East Cleveland.

For tickets or for more information, call, email, or write:

Dr. Patricia Blochowiak

1894 Farmington Road

East Cleveland, Ohio 44112-4744

(216) 229-9125

pblochowiak AT gmail.com

Tickets may be obtained from any board member. (List below.)

Dr. Patricia Blochowiak

Dr. Billy Brown

Dr. A. Gus Kious

Mary Ostendorf

Location