2008 Woodie Awards
Theater peers applaud new play
Kelly Porter
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Feature
Wright State University's Department of Theatre has a talented cast for their current production of A Raisin in the Sun. Throughout this play, a family endures emotional, financial and racial struggles.
A Raisin in the Sun is set in south side Chicago during the 1950's where a mother, her son, daughter-in-law, daughter and grandson are all struggling to get by in a small run-down apartment. The father of the group has just passed away and the family plans to carry out his legacy by using the insurance money from his death to make a better life for themselves.
Racial segregation during the 1950's proves to be a constant struggle for the family. After much gambling and fighting, the family immediately has to revamp their seemingly perfect plan. Their family values and strength make for a very moving plot which the cast captures overwhelmingly.
The cast members in this play do a remarkable job of portraying the emotional aspect of the story. I was a member of the first audience this group had and I must say they had us all completely engulfed in their performance. "It was very inspiring," said Nick Bell, a sophomore theatre studies major. "It's still very representative to the modern world," he added.
The cast was noticeably enjoying themselves on stage which in turn helped me, as the audience, enjoy the show even more. "I thought it was brilliant," said Blaine Boyd, a sophomore music theatre major. Boyd also commented on how well the older actors fit in with the student actors.
Not only is this show expressive but also humorous and moving. The cast did a wonderful job of making the audience feel completely connected with them.
All of the actors showed humorous antics but one particular cast member, Jasmine Batchelor who plays Beneatha Younger in the show, really stuck out to me. Her mannerisms and facial expressions really brought humor to the scene.
Although there were a few set mishaps, this didn't stop the actors from putting on a great show. "I really felt the acting was phenomenal," said Diana Sheets, a senior dance major.
A roar of applause filled the auditorium with the close of each scene. The actors also had the audience in bouts of laughter throughout the entire performance. A standing ovation for the cast completed this exceptional performance
• Director of the show, Mary Donahoe, has been working with WSU for 13 years.
• WSU's production of A Raisin in the Sun is dedicated to Sheila Ramsey, a professional Dayton actress, director and artistic director. Ramsey is a former cast member for a different group's production of A Raisin in the Sun.
• Donahoe expects a full house due to the amount of loyal subscribers.
• The cast has been practicing this show every Monday-Saturday since September 8.
• The show is open to the public until October 12. Show times vary.
• All performances are in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center.
• Call (937) 775-2500 to purchase your tickets.
• Price of admission is $17 for students and $19 for adults.
• Walter Lee Younger played by Bryant Bentley, an equity actor.
• Mama (Lena) Younger played by Monica Williams, a graduate from WSU's acting program.
• Ruth Younger played by Shawn Storms, a junior musical theatre major.
• Beneatha Younger played by Jasmine Batchelor, a junior acting major.
• Travis Younger played by Trey Melvin, a sophomore at Stivers School for the Arts.
• Joseph Asagai played by Brandon Kelly, a senior dance major.
• Bobo played by Alex Goodman, a junior acting major.
• George Murchison played by Jeremy Gaston, a senior musical theatre major.
• Karl Linder played by Troy Kaufman, a junior acting major.
A Raisin in the Sun is set in south side Chicago during the 1950's where a mother, her son, daughter-in-law, daughter and grandson are all struggling to get by in a small run-down apartment. The father of the group has just passed away and the family plans to carry out his legacy by using the insurance money from his death to make a better life for themselves.
Racial segregation during the 1950's proves to be a constant struggle for the family. After much gambling and fighting, the family immediately has to revamp their seemingly perfect plan. Their family values and strength make for a very moving plot which the cast captures overwhelmingly.
The cast members in this play do a remarkable job of portraying the emotional aspect of the story. I was a member of the first audience this group had and I must say they had us all completely engulfed in their performance. "It was very inspiring," said Nick Bell, a sophomore theatre studies major. "It's still very representative to the modern world," he added.
The cast was noticeably enjoying themselves on stage which in turn helped me, as the audience, enjoy the show even more. "I thought it was brilliant," said Blaine Boyd, a sophomore music theatre major. Boyd also commented on how well the older actors fit in with the student actors.
Not only is this show expressive but also humorous and moving. The cast did a wonderful job of making the audience feel completely connected with them.
All of the actors showed humorous antics but one particular cast member, Jasmine Batchelor who plays Beneatha Younger in the show, really stuck out to me. Her mannerisms and facial expressions really brought humor to the scene.
Although there were a few set mishaps, this didn't stop the actors from putting on a great show. "I really felt the acting was phenomenal," said Diana Sheets, a senior dance major.
A roar of applause filled the auditorium with the close of each scene. The actors also had the audience in bouts of laughter throughout the entire performance. A standing ovation for the cast completed this exceptional performance
• Director of the show, Mary Donahoe, has been working with WSU for 13 years.
• WSU's production of A Raisin in the Sun is dedicated to Sheila Ramsey, a professional Dayton actress, director and artistic director. Ramsey is a former cast member for a different group's production of A Raisin in the Sun.
• Donahoe expects a full house due to the amount of loyal subscribers.
• The cast has been practicing this show every Monday-Saturday since September 8.
• The show is open to the public until October 12. Show times vary.
• All performances are in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center.
• Call (937) 775-2500 to purchase your tickets.
• Price of admission is $17 for students and $19 for adults.
Cast List:
• Walter Lee Younger played by Bryant Bentley, an equity actor.
• Mama (Lena) Younger played by Monica Williams, a graduate from WSU's acting program.
• Ruth Younger played by Shawn Storms, a junior musical theatre major.
• Beneatha Younger played by Jasmine Batchelor, a junior acting major.
• Travis Younger played by Trey Melvin, a sophomore at Stivers School for the Arts.
• Joseph Asagai played by Brandon Kelly, a senior dance major.
• Bobo played by Alex Goodman, a junior acting major.
• George Murchison played by Jeremy Gaston, a senior musical theatre major.
• Karl Linder played by Troy Kaufman, a junior acting major.
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