A Raisin in the Sun on ABC - Award Winning Performances

I saw what I wanted last night. I saw the ultimate in raw emotion spew up like an inferno and scorch an emotional trail that will leave an eternal imprint on my mind. I saw art at its absolute best, at least for me. I saw what I, as an artist - whether visual or written - ache to achieve every time I make an effort. I saw two moments in the 2008 presentation of 'Raisin in the Sun' on ABC that are my reason for blubbering like this here and now.

There were many, many moments throughout the production that I thought were wonderful theatre. Each actor carried their role and made their character a part of my life. I was intrigued with the excellent adaptation of this production for today's television. Nothing was lost; both the feel of the stage and the film set were preserved for whichever of the two you, the viewer, were most comfortable with. It all worked.

I was deeply moved by Audra McDonald's delivery of Ruth, the peacemaker, and under appreciated wife. Saana Lathan was an interesting Beneatha, and, Sean Combs was a very welcome surprise in the role of Walter. The authenticity of Phylicia Rashad's Lena was quietly riveting for me. I knew Lena, a hundred Lena's, and I knew without question that so too did Phylicia and that it was that irrevocable memory of our personal Lena's that drove this production straight to that place of immorality.

So, I cut to the chase and name the two moments that I refer to. The first was that moment of self-truth, self-knowledge in which Walter (Sean Combs) collided with his unalterable reality and it was such a physical blow after twisting and turning every way he possibly could to try to avoid its acceptance that he finally threw himself onto the steps and collapsed. What he was experiencing was a death and Sean's portrayal of that moment was that moment of learning of a death your soul does not believe it can bear. His performance was profound!