A Raisin in the Sun
- When: Friday, September 19, 2025 - All Day Event
- Location: Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts 100 East McDowell Street Matthews, NC 28105
- Cost: $20.00
A gripping domestic drama that captures the African American experience through the pursuit of the American Dream.
MATTHEWS, NC — Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts, in partnership with BNS Productions, proudly opens its 30th Mainstage Season with Lorraine Hansberry’s seminal drama A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Dr. Corlis Hayes. Performances will run from September 19 through September 28, 2025, at the Matthews Community Center Theatre.
When A Raisin in the Sun was produced in 1959, Hansberry became the first Black woman to have a play produced on Broadway. Celebrated writer James Baldwin said that “never before in the entire history of the American theatre had so much of the truth of Black people’s lives been seen on the stage.”
Set on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s, A Raisin in the Sun follows the Younger family as they contend with inherited dreams, generational divides, and systemic injustice. When an insurance check arrives following the death of the family patriarch, each member must decide how to move forward—and whether their dreams can survive a harsh and often discriminatory world. Hansberry’s groundbreaking work remains one of the most influential American plays of the 20th century, rich in emotional depth, racial truth, and familial resilience.
“What drew my interest in directing A Raisin in the Sun is its similarities to August Wilson's Fences,” said Director, Dr. Corlis Hayes. “Family matters and power relations are two themes shared by both masterpieces. Clearly, in these two dramas, The Youngers go through issues like the death of a loved one, just like Troy's family in Fences. Hansberry's classic work A Raisin in the Sun, like Wilson's Fences, proves that a play set in 50's with themes that portray the black experience are just as relevant today,” says Dr. Hayes. “Now you know the story..... Now come check out the play!” continues Dr. Hayes.
Dr. Hayes has received numerous awards for her work. They include two Best Drama Awards from Creative Loafing: 2014's SIZWE BANSI IS DEAD (Carolina Actors Studio Theatre), and 2017's JITNEY (Brand New Sheriff Productions). She received a 2020 Broadway World Award (Best Play and Director) for FENCES, and a 2019 Metrolina Theatre Association Award (Best Play and Director) for TWO TRAINS RUNNING, both with Brand New Sheriff Productions. In 2022, she received another Metrolina Theatre Association Award (Best Director) for MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM. Born and raised in "The Gateway City" of St. Louis, Dr. Hayes now resides in Charlotte. She holds a PhD from Southern Illinois University, where she also received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Liberal Arts.
A Raisin in the Sun broke down barriers on and off stage. Each of the Youngers, a Black family, has a different view of how to spend their father’s life insurance settlement to better the family. Will they open a business, send Beneatha to medical school, or move to an all-white suburb? Hansberry’s masterpiece seeks answers to the still-relevant questions posed in Langston Hughes’ poem Harlem: What happens to a dream deferred?
CAST
Ruth Younger – Renee Welch Noel / Nasha Shandri
Walter Lee Younger – Jonavan Adams'/ Justin Peoples
Lena “Mama” Younger – Lillie Oden
Travis Younger – Thaddeus Faustin / Solomon Doleman
Beneatha Younger - Mikayla Broome / K. Alana Jones
Joseph Asagai – Dionte Darko / Kahlil Allen
George Murchison – Sha’Heed J. Brooks
Bobo – Bobby Tyson
Karl Lindner – Henk Bouhuys
Mrs. Johnson – Shar Marlin / Ericka Ross
Movers – Robert Rankin, Dionte Darko, Rory Sheriff
Performance Schedule
All evening shows at 7:30 PM; matinees at 2:00 PM
• Fri, Sept. 19 | Sat, Sept. 20 | Sun, Sept. 21
• Thu, Sept. 25 (Pay-What-You-Can)
• Fri, Sept. 26 | Sat, Sept. 27 | Sun, Sept. 28
Pay‑What‑You‑Can Night - Thursday, September 25 at 7:30 PM – General admission seating; suggested donation of $10.
Events:
Saturday, September 20, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM - Character Analysis workshop.
Saturday, September 27, after the 2 PM Matinee - Panel Discussion - Black home ownership disparity and additional themes from A Raisin in the Sun.
Tickets:
Adults – Premium: $30 | Zone 2: $26 | Zone 3: $23
Seniors / Military / Students / Children – Premium: $27 | Zone 2: $23 | Zone 3: $20
Tickets can be purchased online at matthewsplayhouse.com or at the door (door sales are Premium price only).
Run Time & Audience - Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
About Matthews Playhouse
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts is a nonprofit community theater dedicated to enriching lives through the performing arts. Now celebrating its 30th Mainstage Season, the Playhouse provides high-quality productions, theatre education, and outreach in the Charlotte-Matthews area.
About BNS Productions
BNS is an award-winning professional theatre company, and the only Black repertory theatre company in the greater Charlotte area. Their mission is to inspire, help, teach, and learn together as we heal and love each other. They aspire to educate, amaze, and inform through the creation and performance of relevant and provocative African American theater productions. Learn more at bnsproductions.org.
This is a Weekly Recurring Event
Runs from Sep 19, 2025 to Sep 28, 2025 and happens every:
Fridays: 7:30pm - 9:30pm Timezone: EDT
Saturdays: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Timezone: EDT
Saturdays: 7:30pm - 9:30pm Timezone: EDT
Sundays: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Timezone: EDT
- Website: eventvesta.com
- Contact Name: Matthews Playhosue
- Contact Phone: (704) 846-8343
- Contact Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Category: Family Fun, Shows & Concerts
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts 100 East McDowell Street Matthews, NC 28105
All repeats 
