Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Last weekend, we told you that Denzel Washington was returning to Broadway in 2014 as Walter Lee Younger in a revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Reportedly, he is leading an all-star cast along with actresses Sophie Okenedo (possibly as his wife Ruth Younger) and Anika Noni Rose (possibly as his sister Beneatha Younger). However, the role of the matriarch, Lena Younger was still in question…until now.
According to Showbiz411.com, the role of the mother will be played by TV, stage and film legend, Diahann Carroll. Although the news has not been confirmed by the actress, sources close to the website are claiming that Carroll is plotting a Broadway return considering the recent success of veteran actress Cicely Tyson in A Trip to Bountiful. If this story is true, this would the first Broadway show for Carroll in 30 years. She was last seen on stage in 1983’s Agnes of God.
Carroll is best known for her 1968 groundbreaking series Julia, which made her the first African American actress to have her own television show. She also appeared on the night time soap, Dynasty during the 1980’s and as the mother of Jasmine Guy’s character Whitley Gilbert on The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World.
RC is excited about the news and will keep you posted as more of this story develops.
What do you think about the casting so far?
Photo Credit: Oprah.com