A Raisin in the Sun Previews — Page 3

The change in Walter Lee's age does not matter. His age does not take away from the storyline at all. Ask my 12 year old son. We dissected and analyzed the play this past year, and he was able to relate to each character.

I saw an interview with the Director, Kenny Leon, and he said that there are some slight changes from the original (ie Walter's age, and even what we hear from Travis' character).

Again, I am looking forward to taking him to see this performance.

Has no one seen the show this week, or would care to comment on Mr. Washington? or the overall production?

So, now we're just going to start changing dialogue so people who are wrong for a role can play them anyway? Who cares? The playwright's dead! Let's do whatever we want!

Ridiculous.

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Well, I'm going next week, and I'll gladly post thoughts then if anyone is interested.

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So he was basically an ass to you, until he realized you just bought a ticket, and hadn't seen the show yet?

i began to say hello to Mr Washington but before I could get a word out he goes NO

What a presumptouos @ss.

Did no one on the boards see the show this week? is this revival going to be that much of a Non-event? sad, for such a wonderful maybe the perfect play.

There is not much feedback on this board. Going to Twitter ; )

I'm waiting for Sweetp to post so we can ask him about Walter Lee's age.

I saw the second preview. Overall I got the feeling that it could be really good before its done, if they work at it. There were some obvious tiny line flubs, moments of reaching for the lines, and spots that just didn't gel, but I guess that's to be expected two public shows in. I'd agree that Anika and Sophie were fantastic and LaTonya shines as well. I wasn't 100% happy with Jason Dirden as George... partly a directorial thing. Sean Patrick Thomas was pretty good as Joseph... and was popular at the stage door. Denzel was great to see... fun to watch. My criticism would be that he could be better. His version of the character is one that he could do in his sleep. He didn't seem to have challenged himself to portray the kind of drama that you expect from him. That's unfair, as this is stage and not film, but such is life. Also, whether due to the audience I was in and their responses, or due to the acting that inspired those responses, the show came off a little more on the gospel side than I am used too for this play... if you understand what I mean. So in all, it could be really great if it can tighten up...
S

Updated On: 3/17/14 at 04:31 AM

Updated On: 3/17/14 at 07:28 AM

Lol... yes the audience was involved (not really in a bad way), but the acting leaned in that direction too. Its hard to explain. Played to stereotype a little? As opposed to a more stolid performance relying on the dialogue to push the points? Hard to put my finger on. Just my impressions.
S

Updated On: 3/18/14 at 04:49 AM

Thank You ray-andallthatjazz86, for calling a thing a thing! So often people say racist things on this board, and they get looked over or played off as witty banter or jokes, when in fact they're not either.

Anyway, Sthunderrocker thanks for your review of the show. Just still can't believe everyone seems to think he is kind of average and not good. So unfortunate that he chose to do this play, instead of a NEW play or letting an age appropriate fresh new leading man take on the role to ReDefine it for another generation.