By Mary Ann Bourbeau
“Raisin” first appeared on Broadway in 1973 with a cast that included Joe Morton, Debbie Allen, Ralph Carter and Ernestine Jackson. The musical, based on Lorraine Hansberry’s classic, “A Raisin in the Sun,” was nominated for nine Tony Awards. It won Best Musical and leading lady Virginia Capers took home the Best Actress trophy. But after that, “Raisin” largely disappeared for the next 50 years. Until now.
The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is presenting “Raisin” from Feb. 24 through March 12. The musical stars Fredi Walker-Browne, who originated the role of Joanne Jefferson in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical “Rent,” as family matriarch Lena Younger. Most recently, she appeared in HBO’s “Search Party” and Showtime’s Emmy Award-winning series, “The Big C.”
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this historic revival,” said Walker-Browne, a former Monmouth County resident who also teaches voice, movement and acting classes at her studio in Matawan. “This is an amazing and intricate piece of theater, and it’s still relevant in so many ways. It’s about reaching for the American dream, which sadly is still out of reach for so many people. That makes the story so painfully relevant to this day.”
In “Raisin,” Hansberry’s classic story is transformed into a soulful, inspiring musical that follows a Black family’s journey to a better life as they aspire to move out of the projects in the Southside of Chicago in the 1950s. It explodes in song, dance and incisive human drama. With a book by Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg, music by Judd Woldin and lyrics by Robert Brittan, “Raisin” ran for more than two years on Broadway.
“Raisin” is presented with the approval of the Hansberry Estate in association with production consultant Phylicia Rashad, winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress in “A Raisin in the Sun.” It is directed by Evelyn Collins, founder of the Denzel Washington School of the Arts, and will be a major part of New Jersey’s Black History Month observations. Tap dancing and choreography is by Dormeshia from Broadway’s “After Midnight.”
“We are honored to be collaborating with TV and theater legend Phylicia Rashad and her close colleague, director Evelyn Collins, to bring this historic revival to life,” said Axelrod’s artistic director Andrew DePrisco. “Of all the lost musicals in Broadway history, “Raisin” may be the one show that most deserves to be heard and seen again, especially at the present time. It’s a powerful, beautiful story of hope, and audiences can expect to be entertained and moved by this new production.”
Eric R. Williams (“Into the Woods,” “Dreamgirls”) stars as Walter Lee Younger and 12-year-old Ethan Joseph, who recently made his Broadway debut in “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” takes on the role of Travis Younger. Burt Conrad of Rumson is Karl Lindner, who is sent by the white members of his housing association to convince the family not to move into their neighborhood.
“I’m definitely the bad guy, but there’s an empathetic side to the role too,” he said. “I’m more the messenger.”
A Grammy Award-winning recording engineer for his work on Paul Simon’s 1975 album, “Still Crazy After All These Years,” Conrad is also a singer, songwriter and musician. He has worked with artists in pop, rock, blues, jazz, Latin and soul, and is honored to be part of this production.
“I really feel like the Axelrod is doing some great stuff,” he said. “As a community theater, it was very good, but they’ve stepped it up and ‘Raisin’ is taking it to another level. This show is going to be incredible.”
Neptune resident MOZIAH, a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, portrays Joseph Asagai, an African student who is trying to win the affection of Beneatha.
“Joseph is an immigrant, and my parents are immigrants too, so I relate to the role,” he said. “The story has a lot of universal truths about the Black experience back then and things that are still true today. It has stood the test of time.”
MOZIAH is thrilled to be working with what he calls a dream team.
“Working with Fredi is awesome,” he said. “She has a wealth of knowledge, pays a lot of attention to details and is full of stories and passion. Paying tribute with this very pivotal play during Black History Month, with Phylicia Rashad as consultant and Evelyn Collins as director, there’s a lot to be excited about.”
Rounding out the cast are Gia Ware, who portrays Ruth Younger and Alexandria Reese as Beneatha Younger.
Performances run Feb. 24 to March 12. Tickets are $32 to $65 and are available at 732-531-9106, ext. 14 or axelrodartscenter.com. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park, just five minutes from downtown Asbury Park with plenty of free parking. Save $10 per ticket with code FAMILY.
The article originally appeared in the February 16 – 22, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
