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Announcing the cast of A RAISIN IN THE SUN by Lorraine Hansberry

Dayton Theatre Guild is thrilled to unveil the stellar cast of our upcoming production of Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking drama, A RAISIN IN THE SUN. This timeless story, which explores dreams, identity, and resilience within a Black family striving for a better life, will be brought to life by an exceptional ensemble.

• Walter Lee Younger – Shaun Diggs
• Lena Younger (Mama) – Gail Andrews Turner
• Ruth Younger – Cormari Pullings
• Beneatha Younger – Amirah Musa
• Travis Younger – Dominic Bothers
• George Murchison – Jarrod Davis
• Joseph Asagai – William Boatwright
• Bobo – Andre Tomlinson
• Karl Lindner – Rick Flynn

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

Under the direction of Robert-Wayne Waldron this production promises to deliver the depth, heart, and urgency of Hansberry’s powerful narrative. Performances will take place August 22- September 7, 2025 at The Dayton Theatre Guild inviting audiences to witness the triumphs and struggles of the Younger family as they navigate a world filled with challenges and aspirations.

Set in Chicago’s South Side in the 1950’s, this is about the divergent dreams and conflicts in three generations of 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, Mama Lena dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school. Hansberry’s portrait of one family’s struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing a nd timeless document of hope and inspiration. It was the first play by an African American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Directed by Robert-Wayne Waldron
Produced by Rick Flynn

The show runs weekends Aug 22-Sep 7, 2025

• Franklin Johnson as Pops
• Shaun Diggs as Junior
• S. Francis Livisay as Oswaldo
• Ronda Ogletree as Lulu
• *The role of Church Lady is To Be Announced
• Karen Righter as Detective O’Connor
• *The role of Lt. Caro is To Be Announced

• Church Lady: 30-40’s An enigmatic and spiritual figure who visits Pops. Her presence in the play adds an unexpected and surreal twist.
• Lieutenant Caro: 40-50’s A current NYPD officer and friend of Pops. He brings tension into the story as he tries to navigate loyalty and duty.

This play won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the 2015 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, the 2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play, the 2015 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play and the 2015 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Play. It closed on Broadway in Feb 2023. Walter “Pops” Washington is a retired NYC policeman, and he has had enough. He has been pursuing a discrimination suit against the Police Department, because he, a black police officer, was accidentally shot by another (white) police officer. Meanwhile, his landlord won’t leave him alone, his wife recently passed away, and the liquor store can’t keep up with his thirst. Pops’ last living relative, his son Junior, has recently gotten out of jail and moved back to Pops’ house with his girlfriend, Lulu, and his newly sober buddy, Oswaldo. With his heels dug into the floor of his rent-controlled Riverside Drive apartment, Pops holds onto old wounds, both physical and emotional. Pressure reaches a boiling point when an ultimatum comes from an unlikely source, pinning Pops squarely “between Riverside and crazy.” This Tony Award-nominated Pulitzer Prize-winning play, is passionate, contemporary, and bracingly funny.

Directed by Robert-Wayne Waldron
Produced by Rick Flynn and Christina Tomazinis

The show runs weekends May 23-June 8, 2025.

For more information visit www.daytontheatreguild.org.