Court Theatre has been producing theater since 1955—a year that marked both a tragic moment in American history and the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.
📅 Now Playing
📍 Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL
📞 Box Office: (773) 753-4472
Now, nearly 70 years later, Court Theatre is bringing to life A Raisin in the Sun, a play deeply rooted in the same racial and social struggles that shaped America. During a time of political unrest and ongoing debates about racial equity, this production of Lorraine Hansberry’s masterpiece reminds us why storytelling is essential in understanding our past, present, and future.
Purchase Tickets
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.
Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun brings the experience of 1950s South Side Chicago to life, right in the neighborhood that inspired it.
At the heart of A Raisin in the Sun is the Younger family, a Black family in 1950s Chicago who, upon receiving a life insurance check, hopes to move into a better neighborhood. But their aspirations are met with resistance, as they are pressured to abandon their dream of homeownership due to racial prejudice.
The entire play unfolds in a cramped kitchenette apartment, reflecting the reality for many Black families who migrated to Chicago in search of opportunity, only to face racial restrictive covenants that confined them to overcrowded housing. Court Theatre’s production honors these real-life experiences, ensuring the story feels both historically accurate and strikingly contemporary.
Directed by Court Theatre’s Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent (Antigone), this production brings together a cast of mostly Chicago natives, making it feel deeply connected to the city’s rich cultural history. Actor Charles Andrew Gardner makes his debut at Court Theatre as George Murchison, a role that explores themes of assimilation and Black identity.
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