There was a whole lot of fine acting in the Arkansas Repertory Theatre production of A Raisin in the Sun, which opened Friday night to a large, enthusiastic audience almost as excited to hear from director Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj after the show as from the cast during the play.
Lorraine Hansberry wrote her drama (the first that placed black people in a family situation with real-world problems) about the tensions in a black family in Chicago in the early 1950s, and Mike Nichols’ set design neatly captures the space limitations inherent for five people trying to live together in a small apartment while plotting their own paths out of the situation.
Four of the residents have their own plans for a large insurance payment that is coming to the family matriarch, Lena Younger, superbly played by a Little Rock born actress, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, who was appearing in her home town for the first time. Stickney’s intensity was matched by that of Hisham Tawfiq, who played Walter Lee Younger, Lena’s son.
Tawfiq wanted his mama to back his idea for her money, to invest in a liquor store, and his role required much of him, and he delivered much. Meanwhile Walter’s wife, Ruth, played by Lynette R. Freeman, was torn between backing her husband’s dreams or her mama’s more sensible sounding idea of buying a larger house in a safer suburb for her family, which also included Lena’s daughter, Beneatha, played energetically by Myxolydiacq Tyler, along with Walter and Ruth’s young son, Travis, played by Tyrese Treyvon Bluford.
Beneatha has her own aspirations for her mother’s money — paying for medical school so she can help others. Meanwhile, she has to sort out a couple of young men who are making no secret of their attraction to her.
Young Bluford, who will turn 11 on Sunday, is every bit as skilled as the adult members of the cast, and gets a couple of chances to show his gift for timing. (Due to his age, the role will alternate between him and another youngster, Anthony Dewayne Williams, Jr.)
The play still packs a powerful punch six decades later, with its themes of family, finances and racial tensions.
A Raisin in the Sun continues Wednesday through Sunday nights, with Sunday matinees, through Feb. 6. For more information or reservations, call (501) 378-0405 or see the website www.threp.orgcq.