Sunday, February 24, 2008

A Raisin In The Sun

Posted by Virtuous at 2/24/2008

This is the 1959 Lorraine Hansberry book and stage play, based upon the opening lines of Langston Hughes' famous poem "A Dream Deferred", will be brought to prime time TOMORROW! If you have never heard of/ever seen A Raisin in the Sun you MUST take time out to watch it!

It will air tomorrow Monday, Feb. 25th on ABC between 8pm-11pm EST and will include most of the cast from the most recent Broadway adaptation: Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Audra Mcdonald and John Stamos.

I have always loved this play and enjoyed reading it in my youthful years! ;o)
But I also had the pleasure to see it on broadway in NY taking my group of teenage Girl Scouts in 2004. It was a priceless experience!

My recorder is SET! My knitting is ready! For this wonderful primetime!!

Would like to also share Langston Hughes' resounding Harlem poem that the play is based on, but is also perfect for this time of the year in recognizing Black History Month:

Harlem
by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

Happy Black History Month!!

 

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25 Comments:

  1. Erica Bunker said...
    February 24, 2008 at 11:36 AM  
    I loved the 1961 movie... it's one of my all-time favorites. Even though I'm skeptical in thinking that Diddy and Audra McDonald (love her on The Practice) will hold a candle to Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee, I'm still going to watch.
    Sheila said...
    February 24, 2008 at 12:04 PM  
    Thanks. My daughtger loves Raisin in the Sun and has had to read it several times for school. Someone said it best, the play reflects the racial attitudes of the '50s and still today and the need to understand the importance of dreams and the frustration of dreams deferred.
    Deborah said...
    February 24, 2008 at 12:11 PM  
    that movie really affected me when I saw it for the first time a zillion years ago. I can't bring myself to see anyone else do it. I'm nostalgic that way.

    I'll rely on your review!
    Adrienne said...
    February 24, 2008 at 2:13 PM  
    I can't wait to see this.
    QueenDBW said...
    February 24, 2008 at 2:58 PM  
    I can't wait to see it!! I love the play (never seen it performed, sadly) and I've heard nothing but great things about the cast!!!
    Jet LeBlanc said...
    February 24, 2008 at 10:30 PM  
    To erica b...who COULD hold a candle to Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier?? :)

    But Sean Combs has definitely had some time to grow into the role.

    Thanks for posting this reminder - I *love* the play and the poen gives me chills every time I read it. DVR is set and I'm good to go.
    Jada said...
    February 25, 2008 at 6:57 AM  
    Me and my kids will be watching that tonight.I hope Sean Combs is good in it.
    Virtuous said...
    February 25, 2008 at 7:29 AM  
    @ Jeanette - that is very much true!
    No one really can live up to Sidney & Ruby, but they can definitely TRY and I am glad they did so they can bring this story to THIS generation.

    I just hate that some people feel that Black History is only for Blacks but it is a CULTURE that others should honor and learn as well!!

    Thanks my Ebony Elite Sistahs for commenting!!!
    Connie said...
    February 25, 2008 at 8:42 AM  
    How great to have seen this in person as a broadway play! I love anything that Phylicia Rashad is in and I guess I am out o' the loop, cuz I didn't know Combs was known by Sean, I only knew of pdiddy.

    Thanks for the post, I will be sure to DVR this as I haven't seen it before.
    Anonymous said...
    February 25, 2008 at 9:27 AM  
    I'm like Deborah on this one. I loved the original so much, though, I will admit, if someone else had been cast as Walter, I wouldn't feel this way so much. Was Don Cheadle busy? Courtney Vance? I'm sorry, but Puffy just does not do it for me. However, not to be a total curmudgeon, I'm glad some of the young people today will be able to see it & hopefully, appreciate it.
    urbanknitrix said...
    February 25, 2008 at 9:58 AM  
    Yes, I will watch it, and hope it lives up to the original. It is one of my all time favorites and I had my kids watch it as welland they will watch this one too.
    Anonymous said...
    February 25, 2008 at 12:00 PM  
    Can't wait! Love Langston Hughes...
    Cas... said...
    February 25, 2008 at 12:28 PM  
    I love this! My favorite scene was when Beneatha goes off and says "There is no God" and her mama slaps the sh** out of her! Ahh! The memories!

    I will watch this! Thanks for the update.
    Melissa Morgan-Oakes said...
    February 25, 2008 at 1:05 PM  
    sometimes I wish I had cable. maybe netflix....
    Melissa Morgan-Oakes said...
    February 25, 2008 at 1:09 PM  
    Netflix has too many!!!

    Sidney Poitier...Danny Glover...

    Poo. How to choose? Any advice. I love Sidney Poitier...maybe I'll rent all three and compare.
    Lorette said...
    February 25, 2008 at 2:02 PM  
    Thanks for the link to this one! I gave up TV for Lent, but I have it Tivo-ed for later!
    Christie said...
    February 25, 2008 at 2:16 PM  
    I'm totally with Del. Although I believe Sean put up most of the money for the production. Somehow I wonder if he can portray a fully realized character. I guess I'll find out tonight.
    Don said...
    February 25, 2008 at 3:38 PM  
    I read the book after I read how Tupac Shakur starred in a play based on the book. It was pretty good. I'm thinking P Diddy plays the part of the little boy which Shakur played. sounds like an interesting movie.


    We might as well watch it together...
    tina said...
    February 25, 2008 at 3:48 PM  
    Your YOUTHFUL YEARS???? Oh puhleeze, you are hurting me now.

    I am very much looking forward to this, the TiVo has been set for a couple of weeks now!
    Two Cables and a Frapp said...
    February 25, 2008 at 4:16 PM  
    Thanks for the heads up !!! I too loved this movie.
    Jeanine said...
    February 25, 2008 at 4:31 PM  
    I've got my Tivo all set for tonight.
    cpurl17 said...
    February 25, 2008 at 5:04 PM  
    Oh, I'm so glad I decided to catch up on my favorite blogs today--I've just set my DVR to record it tonight!
    Jane Prater said...
    February 25, 2008 at 8:15 PM  
    I used to teach this book and really admire Hansberry's genius. Also a big Langston Hughes fan. Art and writing of the Harlem Renaissance was always my favorite. Saw Audra McDonald on B'way years ago and was an immediate fan. Still am. Is her series coming back?
    Knitting it Out in an Urban Zoo said...
    February 25, 2008 at 11:08 PM  
    I am really looking forward to this classic with a dazzling cast!
    wildflower38 said...
    February 26, 2008 at 12:55 AM  
    I saw it and loved it especially Philicia Rashad.

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