RAISIN IN THE SUN for TV

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The cast of the 2004 Tony - nominated Broadway revival of Lorraine
Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun will star in a small-screen version of
the classic play.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan =97
who all starred in the recent Broadway revival =97 will head the cast of
the TV version, which will begin filming this December in Toronto. A
2007 bow on ABC-TV is expected.
Kenny Leon, who helmed the Broadway revival at the Royale Theatre, will
direct the TV film, which will utilize a script penned by Paris Qualles
based on the original Hansberry play. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, whose
other television projects include "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My
Shadows," are producing for Sony Pictures.
Combs, who made his Broadway debut in Raisin, told the industry paper,
"There are so many things the younger generation can get out of this.
It's an American story of overcoming obstacles that still rings true.
It's important for people of color, especially younger ones, to see
this."
A Raisin in the Sun concerns Walter Lee, who chafes at his straightened
circumstances and longs for a business deal that would lift him out of
his limited world. He has his eye on his late father's insurance, but
Walter's mother wants to use that money to move the family out of the
city.
A Raisin in the Sun premiered in 1959. It was the first Broadway play
written by, directed by and starring African-Americans. Lloyd Richards
directed. In the cast were Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil as the mother,
Diana Sands, Ruby Dee, Louis Gossett, Ivan Dixon, Glynn Turman, John
Fielder, Lonne Elder III, Ed Hall and Douglas Turner. It ran 530
performances. A 1961 film version followed, as did a later 1991 TV
movie. It was also the basis for the musical, Raisin.
The 2004 revival was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best
Revival of a Play. It won Tonys for co-stars Rashad and McDonald.
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