A Raisin in the Sun (Harlem Rep) NYC Reviews and Tickets

86%

(127 Reviews)

Positive

94%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Entertaining, Thought-provoking, Relevant

About the Show

Harlem Rep presents Lorraine Hansberry's classic play about a working-class African-American family that faces financial salvation or personal ruin after receiving a substantial insurance payment.

Set in Chicago's South Side, 'A Raisin in the Sun' revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and matriarch Lena, called Mama. When her deceased husband’s money comes through, Mama dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama.

Member Reviews (127)

Absorbing, Funny, Must see, Relevant, Resonant

See it if If you like a great story with meaning. Very deep story about family, what money can do to it. Very good acting, staging

Don't see it if If you don't like a family story that can touch at the root of families.

Ambitious, Acute, Affecting, Important

See it if you would like to experience a moving production of a landmark play in a community context & done on a shoestring budget.

Don't see it if you are looking for a big budget experience. Read more

Ambitious, Amateur theater pretending to be professional, Lackluster sets, costumes, direction, Some strong performances

See it if You must see this classic play and you're willing to forgive many amateur elements, or you want to support HRT.

Don't see it if you're expecting polish of any kind. The blocking was odd, the costumes were just plain bad, some performances were wooden, some adequate.

Great acting, Intelligent, Intense, Resonant

See it if You want to see a thought-provoking production that is as relevant today as when it originated in 1959.

Don't see it if you don't like a lot of shouting. There's quite a bit. Read more

Absorbing, Great acting, Dated

See it if You like strong characters and an extremely talented ensamble in a somewhat smaller scale remake of a classic.

Don't see it if You want to see something original.

Absorbing, Great writing, Intelligent

See it if you enjoy well-written family drama, even if the acting isn't quite as good.

Don't see it if you are a fan of the play and might bristle at a somewhat non-traditional staging.

Must see, Great acting, Enchanting, Absorbing, Clever

See it if You want to see a great group of actors put on a classic. Loved the story line. Loved the interaction between characters. Great job by all

Don't see it if You do not like longer drawn out dramas. Otherwise a must see

Fluffy, Overrated, Underrehearsed, Disappointing, Amateur

See it if You don’t mind actors who cannot project voice properly, miss their cue a lot, yell without intention; Is this a new cast? Doesn’t match 86

Don't see it if The theatre is dreadful - hot without ac, noise from the street, projector turned on by accident breaking the make-believe.. Read more

Critic Reviews (1)

"The production has a phenomenal cast...This play inspires you when you look at the struggles and conflicts present in this family’s life. Hansberry just has a great way with words. And Keith Lee Grant, the director, has a way with mounting a show...This production is mesmerizing, moving and exciting to watch—there are explosive moments that will touch your heart and moments that will fill you with pride."
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