Westport Country Playhouse Announces A RAISIN IN THE SUN Discounts

Westport Country Playhouse will present "A Day for Community," on Sunday, October 28, when all tickets will be $15 for the 3 p.m. matinee performance of Lorraine Hansberry's landmark drama, "A Raisin in the Sun," directed by Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad.

Following the performance, there will be a "Post-Show Conversation: A Day for Community" centered on the theme of community as reflected in Hansberry's play, featuring David J. Dent, professor of journalism at New York University, and Larri Mazon, chair of the Bridge Building Ministry at the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. Additional guests to be announced. Before the performance, there will be a reception in The Playhouse lobby.

"A Day for Community" is part of The Playhouse's education and community engagement initiative, "What Happens to a Dream Deferred: Lorraine Hansberry and 'A Raisin in the Sun'," a series of speakers, panel discussions, talkbacks, film screenings, art exhibits, and more, in conjunction with the production. Scheduled now through November 3, the initiative will explore the playwright and her creation – the historical context, contemporary relevance, and lasting influence. The enrichment programs are designed to deepen the audience's experience of the play. Sponsors of the initiative are KPMG; Kate and Bob Devlin, The Devlin Foundation; The Graham Foundation of Connecticut; and Pitney Bowes Foundation.

"A Day for the Community" is made possible in part by Corporate Sponsor Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder P.C., with additional support from Fairfield County Community Foundation.

Director Phylicia Rashad said of the play "A Raisin in the Sun" in a "Backstage.com" interview earlier this year, "It's timeless in that it's a story of family, about three generations of people living under one roof. This particular roof is pretty small, and the walls are closing in. They are struggling to move forward, and everyone has a different point of view. The play looks at personal conflicts, and generational conflicts, as well as love and trust. So it speaks to all kinds of people."

"A Raisin in the Sun" is set on Chicago's South Side in the 1950s. The plot revolves around the divergent dreams within the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and matriarch Lena. When her deceased husband's insurance money comes through, Lena dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans, however: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school. The family's heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world paints a searing portrait of people whose dreams are constantly deferred.

Playing from October 9 through November 3, the performance schedule for "A Raisin in the Sun" is Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

In addition to the specially discounted $15 tickets at the Sunday, October 28, 3 p.m. performance, single ticket prices to all other performances start at $30. Prices are subject to change based on availability; buy early for the best prices. Special students ticket prices are $15 for every performance with a valid student I.D., supported in part by a grant from The Adolph and Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation. Educators are eligible for 50% discounts. On the day of a performance, senior rush tickets are available at 50%.

"A Raisin in the Sun" Production Sponsors are Kate and Bob Devlin, The Devlin Foundation; Jill and Alex Dimitrief; and Johnna G. Torsone and John McKeon. Corporate Production Sponsors are Bank of America and Cohen and Wolf.

For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse - #WCPRaisin), view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse), or get an insider's peek on The Playhouse Blog (www.theplayhouseblog.org).

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