Raisin

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Raisin

Full-Length Musical, Drama  /  6w, 9m

Book by Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg
Music by Judd Woldin
Lyrics by Robert Brittan
Based on Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

This pulsating, inspirational musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun wowed audiences and won the 1974 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Image: 2006 Court Theatre Production (Michael Brosilow)

Raisin

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 9m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Stage & Screen)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades

  • Winner! Two 1974 Tony Awards, including Best Musical
    Nominee: Nine 1974 Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Score
    Winner! 1975 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album
    Winner! Two 1974 Theatre World Awards

Also Available
A Raisin in the Sun

Details

Summary

Lorraine Hansberry's classic A Raisin in the Sun is transformed into a soulful, inspiring musical as a proud Black family's quest for a better life explodes in song, dance and incisive human drama. Raisin ran for three years on Broadway, won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and enjoyed a record-breaking national tour.

History
Raisin premiered on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre on 18 October 1973. Directed by Donald McKayle, the production featured Virginia Capers, Ernestine Jackson, Joe Morton, Deborah Allen, Ralph Carter and Robert Jackson.
Keywords
Performing Groups

Principals

RUTH YOUNGER
TRAVIS YOUNGER
WALTER LEE YOUNGER
BENEATHA YOUNGER
LENA YOUNGER (MAMA)
JOSEPH ASAGAI

Supporting Roles

ALTHEA
BOBO JONES
WILLIE HARRIS
PASTOR
PASTOR'S WIFE
MRS. JOHNSON
KARL LINDNER

PEOPLE OF SOUTHSIDE

Plus Chorus and extras

  • Time Period 1950s
  • Setting

    Chicago, USA. The early 1950s.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Pure magic... dazzling! Tremendous!” – The New York Times

“Warms the heart and touches the soul with a human dimension that takes the measurement of man!” – The New York Times

“A tidal wave of soul!” – Ebony

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

A Raisin in the Sun... The Musical?
9 October 2023

Videos

  • Raisin at Axelrod PAC – JerseyArtsTV youtube thumbnail

    Raisin at Axelrod PAC – JerseyArtsTV

  • Raisin – 1974 Tony Awards youtube thumbnail

    Raisin – 1974 Tony Awards

Photos

  • Raisin

    Image: 2006 Court Theatre Production (Michael Brosilow)

  • Raisin

    Image: 2006 Court Theatre Production (Michael Brosilow)

Music

Music Samples

Act I

“Prologue” – Company
“Man Say” – Walter Lee
“Whose Little Angry Man” – Ruth
“Runnin’ to Meet the Man” – Walter Lee and Company
“A Whole Lotta Sunlight” – Mama
“Booze” – Althea, Bobo, Walter Lee, Willie and Company
“Alaiyo” – Asagai and Beneatha
“African Dance” – Beneatha, Walter Lee and Company
“Sweet Time” – Ruth and Walter Lee
“You Done Right” – Walter Lee

Act II

“He Come Down This Morning” – Pastor, Pastor's Wife, Mama, Mrs. Johnson, Ruth, Travis and Company
“It’s a Deal” – Walter Lee
“Sweet Time (Reprise)” – Ruth and Walter Lee
“Sidewalk Tree” – Travis
“Not Anymore” – Walter Lee, Ruth and Beneatha
“Alaiyo (Reprise)” – Asagai
“It’s a Deal (Reprise)” – Walter Lee
“Measure the Valleys” – Mama
“He Come Down This Morning (Reprise)” – Company

Large Orchestration:
(*Required Minimum Instrumentation)
*2 Keyboards 1&2-Conductor (Keyboard 2 - Optional)

1 Reed 1* (Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Soprano & Alto Saxophones)
1 Reed 2* (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
1 Reed 3* (Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone)
1 Reed 4* (Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone)
1 Trumpets 1&2*
1 Trumpet 3/Flugelhorn
1 Horn*
1 Trombone 1*
1 Trombone 2*
1 Tuba (or Bass 2)
3 Percussion*
3 Violin
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass*
1 Guitar*

Small Orchestration:
1 Keyboard 1&2-Conductor (Keyboard 2 - Optional)
1 Reed (Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Soprano, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones)
1 Trumpet (Doubling Flugelhorn)
1 Trombone
1 Guitar
1 Bass
2 Percussion
  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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25 Vocal Books

Large Orchestration:
2 Keyboards 1&2-Conductor 
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Trumpets 1&2
1 Trumpet 3/Flugelhorn
1 Horn
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Tuba (or Bass 2)
3 Percussion
3 Violin
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass
1 Guitar

Small Orchestration:
1 Keyboard 1&2-Conductor
1 Reed
1 Trumpet
1 Trombone
1 Guitar
1 Bass
2 Percussion
25 Vocal Books
1 Keyboard 1&2-Conductor
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Add-Ons

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Authors

Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Hansberry

When Lorraine Hansberry’s (1930-1965) A Raisin in the Sun appeared on Broadway in 1959, the artist became, at 29, the youngest American playwright, the fifth woman, and the only African American to date to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play of the Year. ...

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Author

Robert Nemiroff

Author

Judd Woldin

Charlotte Zaltzberg

Charlotte Zaltzberg
Charlotte Zaltzberg (1924-1974) was a Broadway writer and creative consultant who was best known for writing the book for Raisin, the musical version of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, for which she received a Tony Nomination for Best Book of a Musical. Raisin recei ...
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Author

Robert Brittan

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