<P> With a cast in which all but one minor character is African - American, A Raisin in the Sun was considered a risky investment, and it took over a year for producer Philip Rose to raise enough money to launch it . There was disagreement with how it should be played, with focus on the mother or focus on the son . When the play hit New York, Poitier played it with the focus on the son and found not only his calling but an audience enthralled . </P> <P> After touring to positive reviews, the play premiered on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on March 11, 1959 . It transferred to the Belasco Theatre on October 19, 1959, and closed on June 25, 1960, after 530 total performances . Directed by Lloyd Richards, the cast comprised: </P> <Ul> <Li> Sidney Poitier--Walter Lee Younger </Li> <Li> Ruby Dee--Ruth Younger </Li> <Li> Ivan Dixon--Joseph Asagai </Li> <Li> Lonne Elder III--Bobo </Li> <Li> John Fiedler--Karl Lindner </Li> <Li> Louis Gossett--George Murchison </Li> <Li> Claudia McNeil--Lena Younger </Li> <Li> Diana Sands--Beneatha Younger </Li> <Li> Glynn Turman--Travis Younger </Li> <Li> Ed Hall--moving man </Li> <Li> Douglas Turner--moving man </Li> </Ul> <Li> Sidney Poitier--Walter Lee Younger </Li>

A raisin in the sun original broadway cast