The thing that makes “A Raisin in the Sun” so absorbing is that there’s so much going on. In the space of three hours, this family drama about three generations hits most of life’s big transitions. There’s a marriage proposal, a pregnancy, a first time home purchase, money trouble, liquor trouble, AND a relationship on the rocks, because the husband’s suffocating in his own frustration.
(exchange from the play)
“This morning I was looking in the mirror and thinking about it. I’m 35 years old, I’ve been married 11 years, and I’ve got a boy who sleeps in the living room. And all I’ve got to give him is nothing. Nothin’ but stories about how rich white people live.”
“Eat your eggs, Walter.”
“Damn my eggs, damn all the eggs that ever was.”
“Then go to work.”
“You see there? I’m trying to talk to you about me, and all you can say is ‘Eat your eggs, and go to work.’”
That’s Steve Harris, the tv star who’s the major focus of publicity surrounding this production. He does fine, but truth be told, this play really pivots on the three female characters, and cast members Gloria Stingily, Maya Thomas and Sacramento’s own Danielle-Mone Thrower deliver memorable performances. “Raisin” is a big, sprawling, and ultimately very satisfying drama with lots to say about life and raising kids and mistakes and forgiveness. It’s this month’s hot ticket, and parents, take your teenagers. “Raisin in the Sun” continues at the Sacramento Theatre Company through Oct. 30th.