Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Charles Andrew Gardner made his debut at Court Theatre in its production of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun this year.
📅 Now Playing
📍 Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL
📞 Box Office: (773) 753-4472
The award-winning play, which has been extended until March 23rd, tells the powerful story of a Black family’s struggles and aspirations on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s.
When A Raisin in the Sun premiered on Broadway in 1959, it made history as the first play by a Black woman to grace the stage. At just 29, Lorraine Hansberry won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play, becoming both the youngest playwright and the first Black woman to receive the honor.
Now, Hansberry’s iconic work takes the stage at Court Theatre for the first time, just blocks from the Woodlawn home that inspired its powerful story.
Gardner plays George Murchison, the affluent college student who courts Beneatha Younger, a role that highlights the themes of assimilation and cultural identity that run throughout the play.
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Get 25% off regular single tickets for A Raisin in the Sun evening performances. Not valid with other discounts or past purchases. To redeem, call (773) 753-4472, use the link below, or enter promo code “Southsider” and select “Discount” price online. Subject to availability.
Gardner is a seasoned actor with an impressive career spanning theater, television, and film. A fixture in Chicago’s arts scene, he has performed at some of the city’s most prestigious theaters, including Goodman Theatre (Objects in the Mirror, Stop.Reset., Buzzer), TimeLine Theatre (Boulevard of Bold Dreams, Kill Move Paradise, Paradise Blue, My Kind of Town), and Steppenwolf Theatre.
Known for his dynamic presence and ability to bring complex characters to life, he has earned recognition with Jeff and Black Theatre Alliance Award nominations.
Beyond the stage, Gardner has built an impressive on-camera career, appearing in a variety of television series such as Mayor of Kingstown, Somebody, Somewhere, The Chi, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. His film credits include Heist 88, Olympia, and Long Ride Home, as well as national commercial campaigns for major brands like Hyundai, Ford, and AT&T. His work in voice-over includes projects for PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Comcast, and Dunkin’ Donuts.
As an on-camera acting professor at DePaul University and faculty member at The Acting Studio Chicago, he helps aspiring actors hone their craft. He is also a teaching artist at TimeLine Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Goodman Theatre, where he brings his wealth of experience to students of all backgrounds.
Gardner’s journey to A Raisin in the Sun is a testament to his dedication to storytelling, particularly narratives that highlight underrepresented voices. Lorraine Hansberry’s seminal work remains as relevant today as it was at its debut, and Gardner’s portrayal of George Murchison adds a new layer to the play’s enduring themes of ambition, racial identity, and self-worth.
Audiences can catch Gardner in A Raisin in the Sun at Court Theatre through March 23rd, where his performance contributes to a production that continues to resonate with theatergoers. You can purchase tickets here.
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