Leslie Uggams In "Raisin" Reading At The Shubert

Noted recording artist and stage/screen star Leslie Uggams will be featured in the role of Lena Younger in the reading of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin In The Sun" to be presented at The Shubert Theatre on Monday, February 27, at 7 p.m.

"A Raisin In The Sun" is the second selection in the third annual American Voices: Drama, Dialogue, Downtown play reading series presented by The Wang Center for the Performing Arts and the Poduska Family Foundation. The performance will be followed by a short question and answer session.

Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin In The Sun" was first produced in 1959, anticipating many issues that would divide American culture during the 1960's. Ensnared by financial woes, the Younger family grapples with the proper use of Mr. Younger's life insurance check. With a strong plea from Mama, the family decides to use the money to purchase a home in a white suburban neighborhood. Faced with racial inequality and the continued search for cultural identity, the family serves as both an historic documentation of our nation's divided past and a symbol of hope for the American future.

Audience members who attend "A Raisin In The Sun" are invited to register for free acting workshops held the Tuesday and Wednesday evenings following the play reading, presented by the Wang Center's Education Department, Suskind Young At Arts. Registration is first-come, first-served and will be held during intermission of the reading. Participants must attend the reading to register; advance registration is not available.

Leslie Uggams' career spans music, film TV and theatre, including roles in "The Boyfriend," "Hallelujah, Baby! (1968 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical), "Blues In The Night," "Jerry's Girls," "Stringbean" and "On Golden Pond."

She toured with Peter Nero and Mel Torme in "The Great Gershwin Concert," for which she received rave reviews, and starred in the national tour of the Lincoln Center production of "Anything Goes." On television, she had her own musical variety series on CBS, "The Leslie Uggams Show," and her portrayal of Kizzy in "Roots" (the most watched dramatic show in television history), won her the Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress as well as her first Emmy nomination as Best Leading Actress.

Other cast members participating in the reading include Jacqui Parker, Vincent Siders, Darius Williams, Derek Jackson and John Thompson.

Director Steven Maler is the founding Artistic Director of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and VP of Artistic Programming at The Wang Center.

Tickets for "A Raisin In The Sun" ($10 for general admission; $5.00 for college students, seniors and groups of 20 or more) are available at The Shubert box office, 265 Tremont Street, by calling 1-800-447-7400, or by visiting www.wangcenter.org.

-- OnStage Boston

			American Voices Continues With "A Raisin In The Sun" Noted recording artist and stage/screen star Leslie Uggams will be featured in the role of Lena Younger in the reading of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin In The Sun" to be presented at The Shubert Theatre on Monday, February 27, at 7 p.m. "A Raisin In The Sun" is the second selection in the third annual American Voices: Drama, Dialogue, Downtown play reading series presented by The Wang Center for the Performing Arts and the Poduska Family Foundation. The performance will be followed by a short question and answer session. Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin In The Sun" was first produced in 1959, anticipating many issues that would divide American culture during the 1960's. Ensnared by financial woes, the Younger family grapples with the proper use of Mr. Younger's life insurance check. With a strong plea from Mama, the family decides to use the money to purchase a home in a white suburban neighborhood. Faced with racial inequality and the continued search for cultural identity, the family serves as both an historic documentation of our nation's divided past and a symbol of hope for the American future. Audience members who attend "A Raisin In The Sun" are invited to register for free acting workshops held the Tuesday and Wednesday evenings following the play reading, presented by the Wang Center's Education Department, Suskind Young At Arts. Registration is first-come, first-served and will be held during intermission of the reading. Participants must attend the reading to register; advance registration is not available. Leslie Uggams' career spans music, film TV and theatre, including roles in "The Boyfriend," "Hallelujah, Baby! (1968 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical), "Blues In The Night," "Jerry's Girls," "Stringbean" and "On Golden Pond." She toured with Peter Nero and Mel Torme in "The Great Gershwin Concert," for which she received rave reviews, and starred in the national tour of the Lincoln Center production of "Anything Goes." On television, she had her own musical variety series on CBS, "The Leslie Uggams Show," and her portrayal of Kizzy in "Roots" (the most watched dramatic show in television history), won her the Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress as well as her first Emmy nomination as Best Leading Actress. Other cast members participating in the reading include Jacqui Parker, Vincent Siders, Darius Williams, Derek Jackson and John Thompson. Director Steven Maler is the founding Artistic Director of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and VP of Artistic Programming at The Wang Center. Tickets for "A Raisin In The Sun" ($10 for general admission; $5.00 for college students, seniors and groups of 20 or more) are available at The Shubert box office, 265 Tremont Street, by calling 1-800-447-7400, or by visiting www.wangcenter.org. -- OnStage Boston 02/21/06

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