Phylicia Rashad To Direct Los Angeles Production of 'A Raisin in the Sun'

Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad has spent the past few years on Broadway in 'Gem of the Ocean,' 'August: Osage County' and in the all-black ensemble of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' which was directed by her sister, Debbie Allen.

As for Lorraine Hansberry's seminal play 'A Raisin in the Sun,' the 62 year-old powerhouse actress starred opposite Sean 'Diddy' Combs in the 2004 revival production, as well as in the the 2008 ABC made-for-television movie along with her revival cast.

And, although her moving portrayal of family matriarch Lena Younger earned her a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award, the former 'The Cosby Show' star will now re-visit the play, from a different perspective.

Next March, Rashad will make her Los Angeles directorial debut of the Ebony Repertory Theatre's production of 'A Raisin in the Sun.'The drama, which is being staged at the theater company for the first time in over twenty years, will open on March 25 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center with tickets going on sale Nov.1.

"Ebony Repertory Theatre is deeply honored to have the inimitable Phylicia Rashad make her Los Angeles directorial debut with our production of A Raisin In The Sun," Ebony Repertory Theatre's Founder Wren T. Brown said. "Our late Co-Founder and Artistic Director, the brilliant Israel Hicks, would be exceedingly proud of our choice of director for this production. Israel often spoke of his immense respect for Ms. Rashad's abundant artistry and her uncommon grace. Needless to say, we are tremendously excited about the opportunity to work with this great lady of the theater."

Before 'Raisin,' audiences can see the Jenny Craig spokeswoman in Tyler Perry's 'For Colored Girls,' the movie adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,' which hits theaters Nov.5.

Related Articles