Hickory – The Hickory Community Theatre’s production of the family drama A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry begins its 10 performance run this Friday, Jan 31 at 8:00pm in the Jeffers Theatre. Performances will continue through February 16.

The story tells of a black family’s experiences in south Chicago, as they attempt to improve their financial circumstances with an insurance payout following the death of the father. They face opposition when they attempt to buy a home in a white neighborhood. The New York Drama Critics’ Circle named it the best play of 1959.

The play takes its title from the poem “Harlem” (also known as “A Dream Deferred”) by Langston Hughes, and these famous lines, “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore – and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over – like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?”

Hansberry found inspiration for the play in her family’s real life experience with racially based housing discrimination in the 1950’s. The facts of the case dealt with a racially restrictive covenant that barred African Americans from purchasing or leasing land in the Washington Park Subdivision of Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

Performances of A Raisin in the Sun are Fridays and Saturdays (Jan 31, Feb 1, 7, 8, 14 & 15) at 8:00pm, Thursdays (Feb 6 & 13) at 7:30pm and Sundays (Feb 9 & 16) at 2:30pm.

Tickets for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $10 for. Thursday night tickets are $14 for all adults and $10 for students. Call the box office at 828-328-2283 or visit hickorytheatre.org to purchase tickets or get more information.

The Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. A Raisin in the Sun is produced by Corning Optical Communications and the United Arts Council in association with the City of Hickory Community Relations Council. A Cleaner World, Paramount Automotive, the City of Hickory and Sunbelt Xpress are the sponsors the 2019-2020 Season.

PHOTO: Kathy Walker and Jordan Randal by Ken Burns.