“Raisin” reviewed by Amy Menzel

Highly Recommended ***** I’ve come to know and appreciate Skylight Music Theatre for staging some of the best performance art in Milwaukee, and they’ve done it again with Raisin. The musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” tells the story of the Younger family who live and love and strive to live a better life in 1950s Chicago. As director Kenneth L. Robertson notes, “[D]espite a theme that centers on oppressive circumstances, that are still prevalent today, the musical reserves room for joy.” It’s about family, faith, dreams, and love – lots of love.

Inspired by Langton’s Hughes’ poem “Harlem” (1951), Hansberry wrote her award-winning drama (1959). This musical adaptation (first staged in 1973), continues to add depth to the sentiments first expressed by Hughes. That depth comes through the characters first brought to life by Hansberry, most notably strong and distinctly different female leads. Wydetta Carter is commanding and captivating as the recently widowed and deeply faithful matriarch Lena Younger. Camara Stampley brings exceptional energy and passion to the role of Beneatha Younger, Lena’s strong-willed and independent daughter. And Melanie Loren dazzles as Ruth Younger, Lena’s daughter-in-law who skillfully navigates her responsibilities as a supportive wife to Walter Lee and loving mother to son Travis. Loren and J. Daughtry, who plays Walter Lee, have real chemistry and beautifully portray a loving, committed couple.

There’s also depth in the story, in the set, and, of course, in the musical numbers. “Runnin’ to Meet the Man” and “African Dance” are notable numbers in the first act, but it was during “Sweet Time” that I actually felt time stood still for a moment. “He Come Down This Morning” opens the second act with spirit and “Measure the Valleys” closes it in a powerful fashion. It’s “Not Anymore” that’ll stick with me for some time, however. To think that it was written in the early 1970s about the 1950s but still rings so true today is, well, something.

I was moved. I’m not sure how you might be moved by this production, but I’m confident you will be. Artistic Director Michael Unger notes that Raisin is seldom done. Luckily for us, it’s running now through April 24 at Skylight’s Cabot Theatre.

Raisin runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with an intermission and tickets start at $28.50.

Performances are as follows:

Wednesdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m.

The Broadway Theatre Center is located at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee. Plenty of parking in the area and adjacent garage. Only one hour from Chicago and the North Shore.

Call box office at 414-291-7800

or visit www.Skylightmusictheatre,org