Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Debbie Phillips
Acting 101
March 11, 2010
Raisin in the Sun
The production A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and directed by Hal Berry put on by St. Charles Community College was a show stopper. Raisin in the Sun is the story of the struggle of a lower middle class African American family in the 1950’s in a cramped Chicago apartment. After receiving a check after the death of the father of the family, everyone is torn on how the money should be spent tearing the small family apart at the seams. First of all, the cast did an amazing job as a whole, all delivering a sense of family that carried through-out the production making for a heartfelt believable drama. Each character playing off of the other, regardless of mistakes, and creating an atmosphere that worked well for the estranged family. It was also was refreshing to see a combination of seasoned veterans and new comers to the stage, really show casing the talent and diversity in the community. After seeing the last afternoon production on Sunday, I was left with a lasting impression on the play and its actors.
Janai Humphrey who played the role of Ruth Younger did a wonderful job conveying the expressing and tones of an overworked and under-appreciated house wife. Though her tone was quiet during much of her lines, she carried herself well Her stance diminutive yet firm. Janai’s accent was also quite pleasant being subtle yet clear, Her diction not being left to the side with the Chicago accent. Janai’s body movements were well thought out, expressing her drudged disposition about her family and her Husband’s attitude. Though the only minus being her voice not projecting while she was blocked away from the audience.
Elijah Donevan Clark in the role of Travis Younger was the youngest actor to grace the stage. While he too was hard to hear at time he was adorable, stealing the hearts of the audience with the cocky childish wit that is Travis’s character’s embodiment. While he was young and has little experience on stage Clark did a good job reflecting his character, I was very pleased to see a young boy on stage instead of a older boy playing younger, The young actor adding a level of believability to the cast that could not be achieved otherwise.
Ethan Jones in the Role of Walter Younger was the most uneven character, bouncing around his characters feelings and expressions sometimes too quickly to register. While vocally he was spot on and easy to understand, his movements were awkward and sometimes over the top such as the scene when he slams his fists on the ground after learning he had lost the money, thus making him slightly unbelievable as a character. It was easier to recognize Ethan as an Actor instead of a repressed working man with a shattered dream. His tendency to slip in and out of his character was a distraction from his performance which was wonderful as a whole.
Teressa Kindle as Mama Younger gave the most convincing performance out of all the actors, easily stealing the attention while she was on stage with a commanding air about her that screamed ‘matriarch’. Aware of her body placement as well as her volume Teressa had no noticeable problems with her performance, Her vocals and body really becoming that of Mama Younger making it possible to suspend any doubts about being in St. Charles Theater instead of a Chicago apartment that got little sun.
The cast as well as the set were all well prepared and put on an amazing show. Even though the night I attended had many distractions in the audience the actors still overcame and prevailed. Even covering up mistakes flawlessly as some characters stumbled with fatigue from it being the last production. If given the chance I would see this production again at this College, the responding cast and emotional expressions from everyone delaying any blocking and other problems that were visible. A beautiful production put on by an astounding cast, all the hard work and patience visible to all. Raisin in the Sun put on by St. Charles Community College is a golden star in the colleges list of productions.