‘A Raisin in the Sun’ takes the stage in Syracuse

Syracuse Stage brings the streets of Chicago to life with its latest production of  “A Raisin in the Sun.” This American classic written by Lorraine Hansberry follows a black family, the Youngers, and their life in 1950s Chicago.

When the father of the family dies and the family receives an insurance check from his death, the Youngers hope to make a better life for themselves. The play deals with subjects like family dynamic, race and the American Dream.

This 1950s plot mimics those of “Death of a Salesman,” and “Fences,” which display ordinary people and their quest for the American Dream in the 20th century.

The actors are a traveling cast, and performing such an emotional show takes a lot out of each person, said Kyle Bass, associate artistic director for Syracuse Stage.

The actors have been performing so often that it can be difficult for them to harness these emotions for at every performance. Chiké Johnson, who plays Walter Lee Younger, said he struggles with this.

“I have to admit some nights it ain’t there, and I just remember the training that I went through, I double down on it, and it comes,” Johnson said in a post-performance actor talkback Sunday. “I try to be as truthful on stage as possible because I’m not good at crying. That’s one of my weaknesses as an actor is showing vulnerability.”

Paul Tavianini struggles with his character in a different way. Tavianini plays Karl Lindner, a white man who works for the housing company for the house the Youngers are buying. This role was difficult for Tavianini because he didn’t like his character, he said.

“The one thing you can never do as an actor is judge the character that you’re playing,” he said at the talkback. “You have to find whatever their truth is and portray it as honestly as you possibly can.”

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Some actors have known they’ve wanted to do this show for years. Jordan Bellow, who plays George Murchison, said he’s known he was interested in this play since reading it during his freshman year of college. He didn’t care which role he’d play — he just wanted to be part of the show. This is only Bellow’s third professional show, and he plays one of the two love interests of the Youngers’ daughter, Beneatha.

Beneatha, an outgoing college student, has big plans for the future and is different from most people in her family. Her character also has two love interests. Beneatha Younger is played by Stori Ayers.

This role means a lot to Ayers because she never thought she’d land it, she said. Like Bellow, she’s loved this story since reading it and said she knew she wanted to play one of the women characters. However, people always told Ayers she’d never have the role of Beneatha because of her size.

“Usually the actresses that are cast in this role are not my size, not my height. So, I went out into the professional world and it felt like I would never get the opportunity to play (certain characters) because of the images that we usually see as love interests in movies and plays,” Ayers said.

She also talked about the importance of her portrayal of the role and its impact on other women.

“There are girls who will look at me and see themselves, and to give them that experience at a young age is one that I didn’t have, so it means a lot,” Ayers said.

“A Raisin in the Sun” runs through March 11 at Syracuse Stage. Tickets can be purchased on Syracuse Stage’s website.