Chicago Tribune
- Highly Recommended
"...So there is a lot of local history. "A Raisin in the Sun" is best known as a play about the characters' desire to move to a white neighborhood and, indeed, that's the choice around which Hansberry structured her work. But one of the great pleasures of this revival is now well it teases out the other aspects of a work that offered an incomparably rich portrait of Black life in Chicago in the middle of the 20th century."
Chicago Sun Times
- Recommended
"...Clocking in at nearly three hours, “A Raisin in the Sun” drags at times, primarily during its prolonged, dream-like scene changes, which show the Youngers coming and going in a murky half-light. That’s a fairly minor issue. “A Raisin in the Sun” remains a foundational classic structured in the past and a piece that reflects the state of the world today."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...The toxic brine of pride, shame, anger, resentment, and bitterness in a man who can't catch up with his dreams is odious indeed. During one poignant scene where the radio plays the keening strains of Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight," we realize that love and good intentions aren't always enough to feed the broken soul. Yet Court's rendition of A Raisin in the Sun proves to us that hope can indeed be more than enough to replenish the heart in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. And that is exactly what we need in times like this."
Talkin Broadway
- Highly Recommended
"...Continuing its season, Court Theatre is presenting for the first time Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. Under the direction of Gabrielle Randle-Bent, Court's production captures the play's timelessness as well as the genius that has rendered Hansberry's play a never-quite-matched inspiration to generations of storytellers seeking to capture the experience of Black American families."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews
- Recommended
"..."A Raisin in the Sun" explores the deeply entrenched misogynistic attitudes held by men while shedding light on the strivings of the feminist movement for equality. The narrative intricately weaves together the struggles of women as they confront societal norms and fight for their rightful place, illustrating the powerful dynamics of gender roles within the context of family and societal expectations. "A Raisin in the Sun" masterfully explores the fight against discrimination, which, depending on your views, will resonate powerfully with audiences."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...This thought-provoking, absolutely riveting play by a talented young Chicagoan writer (who sadly died at the young age of 34) has finally been mounted at the Court Theatre. This is a production that would, I'm sure, have made Lorraine Hansberry proud. Sadly, Chicago hasn't enjoyed a professional production of this classic for several years and, while still very pertinent, 2025 might be the best time and Chicago the best place for this welcomed production of a great play. So, in answer to the question, "Does a dream dry up?" As we see in through this incredible play, the answer is a resounding "No! Never!!!""
Buzz Center Stage
- Recommended
"...Like the dream deferred in Langston Hughes' poem that inspired its title, Court Theatre's latest production of "A Raisin in the Sun" simmers, sags, and occasionally explodes with raw intensity. Director Gabrielle Randel-Bent's contemporary vision crackles with urgency, even as it wrestles with the delicate balance between modern resonance and historical authenticity."
Chicago On Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...The Court Theatre has produced a triumph of the monumental sort. To say less is to belittle the magnificence of the collaboration behind A Raisin in the Sun. Whatever your familiarity with Lorraine Hansberry’s important play, this is the kind of production that reinforces theatre’s ability to speak from the then-and-there to the here-and-now, and beyond."
PicksInSix
- Highly Recommended
"...Lorraine Hansberry's arresting triumph "A Raisin in the Sun" is playing now in a brilliant production at Court Theatre. Directed by Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent, the 1957 play-penned by the 27-year-old Hansberry and largely based on her own experiences growing up on the South Side of Chicago-has been lauded since for its defining influence on American theatre, the sheer poetry of the text and its stirring depiction of an urban Black family and their individual dreams for a better life."
Splash Magazine
- Recommended
"...Overall, I give the production a fair rating. The acting was decent, but at times, there seemed to be a disconnect between the actors, which didn’t feel authentic. The best scene is at the beginning of Act 2 when J. Nicole Brooks (Mrs. Johnson) appears to awaken the audience. Her comedic approach was much needed and added seasoning to the bland performances. I still recommend seeing this production. As with all things, theater is subjective."
NewCity Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Surprisingly and refreshingly well. Director and Court senior artistic producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent has assembled a first-class ensemble cast, with such extraordinary chemistry that you really buy that this is a close family. Lines that can be wooden when performed too literally really come alive. Even minor characters are really well-nuanced."
