Raisin in the Sun and Clybourne Park by Erin Gifford

Raisin and Clybourne by Erin Gifford

Dim lights went out as the Huntington Theater readied its audience for a performance. Loud saxophones blare accompanied by blinding stage lights as the play Raisin in the Sun hurls itself into existence. The rotating set spins a full 360 degrees a few times, accompanied by jazzy music, in order to allow the audience see all the rooms. The play begins on a comical note, the African-American family bickering playfully. Then, arguments begin to arise. The audience feels the tense atmosphere this house has, and realizes the stressful financial and emotional situation of the family. Throughout the play, the tension builds as we watch all of the characters individual struggles. Lots of misfortunes occur, but by the end of the play, the family winds up finding a better place to live and they try to better their lives together. Playwright Lorraine Hansberry uses an interesting comical approach to a serious situation, effective use of lighting that draws you right into the emotional situation, and uses the stage to his advantage, having the actors step off the rotating platform and onto the actual stage. Raisin in the Sun is a very emotional and involving journey for any audience.

The play’s sequel, (of sorts) Clybourne Park, in act 1, shows the house the family from Raisin in the Sun is moving into. Speakeasy Stage eases you into the white family’s life, starting out with a comical, simple, small talk occurring between the owner of the house and his minister neighbor. You sense a tension, but you’re not exactly sure where it’s coming from. Over the course of a few more characters coming in the unmoving set, tension and hostilities grow towards the topic of black people moving into their neighborhood. The audience learns that the white family’s son had committed suicide after he returned from Korea 2 years prior. Act 2 takes place 50 years later in the same house, as prospective buyers argue amongst each other about racial issues. This act ends with a yard-worker finding the son’s suicide note.

The effective use of lighting is prevalent in both plays, as well as the topics of race, financial situations, and death. Humor to lighten a situation, and the “snap”, meaning the happy scene is twisted into an argument. Very similar to each other, and interesting storylines, these two plays are a must for anyone interested in matters of race.