'A Raisin in the Sun' explodes with hope

In 1959, the civil rights movement was under way, and the Broadway appearance of "Raisin in the Sun" was indicative of changing attitudes.

Inspired by Langston Hughes' poem, "A Dream Deferred," Lorraine Hansberry's modern American classic tackles the timeless theme of dreams deferred but in the context of racism in 20th-century America. The play also examines conflict in its various forms: race, class, sex and generation.

Hopes and dreams are universal, and three generations of the Younger family in the South Side of Chicago dream of a better life. Their slave ancestors dreamed of freedom. In the 1950s, the Youngers dream of economic freedom.

Under the direction of Henry Clay Middleton, the small ensemble cast is performing "A Raisin in the Sun" on various dates through Feb. 13 at the Footlight Players Theatre, 20 Queen St.

Keith H. Alston captures Walter Lee's anger and frustration as he struggles to define his manhood under an emasculating mother and a demeaning occupation with little economic opportunity. When Walter is prostrate over a betrayal, his agony and shame are at full force. A. Nellie Bloedourn is commanding and thoroughly convincing as Lena, the matriarch of the Younger family. Lena insists that she isn't meddling, but she is accustomed to dominating the family.

Walter's wife, Ruth, played by Donna Lee Williams, is a patient and loving wife and mother, but she is tired of Walter's foolish dream of owning a liquor store, and she doesn't trust his "business partners." Juanita B. Green is an articulate and inquisitive Beneatha, but too giggly for a college-age young woman.

Middleton avoids caricatures with his supporting actors and directs them to have sympathy and respect for their characters.

The technical production is equally strong. Jennifer Timms' sound design includes a gorgeous selection of music from the era, including Nat King Cole's "I'd Rather Have the Blues." Costume design by Rosalyn Gonzalez is authentic and well-fitted, except for Beneatha's tight, modern blue jeans. Richard Heffner's set of the Younger tenement apartment is realistic with authentic 1950s appliances and furniture. The set decoration is simple, warm and tidy -- suitable for a working-class family. Heffner uses the deep stage area by cutting out a large hole in the bedroom wall, thus allowing the audience to peer through a scrim into the bedroom.

Hansberry's "Raisin in the Sun" makes a statement about dignity and self-respect and challenges the increasing emphasis on materialism that was going on at the time of the play's debut, all universal themes.

The plot's crisis comes when Lena experiences an epiphany of her domineering ways and says to Walter, "I been doing to you what the rest of the world has been doing to you." At that moment, we know that "Raisin in the Sun" is not a tragedy, but a message of hope.