Raisin was awarded the 1974 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Musical based on this recording of the original cast of Raisin.
Raisin opened at the 46th Street Theatre in New York on October 18, 1973 and ran for three years—847 performances—closing on December 8, 1975. This cast recording was directed by Donald McKayle and recorded at the Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York on October 27, 29 and November 2, 1973. The original cast included Ernestine Jackson (Ruth Younger), Ralph Carter (Travis Younger), Helen Martin (Mrs. Johnson), Joe Morton (Walter Lee Younger), Debbie Allen (Beneatha Younger), Virginia Capers (Mama/Lena Younger), and Robert Jackson (Joseph Asagai). Originally released by CBS Records in 1973, the remastered original recording was released with additional tracks by Sony Broadway in November, 1992.
Wolden, Judd and Robert Brittan. Raisin: Original Broadway Cast Recording. Book by Robert Nemiroff and Charlotte Zaltzberg, based on Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Directed by Donald McKayle. Includes liner notes by Robert Brittan and Judd Woldin. Originally released on CBS Records, 1973. Sony Broadway, 1992. Audio CD and downloadable MP3. Run time: 61 minutes.
Additional Resources
Nemiroff, Robert and Charlotte Zaltzberg. Raisin. Based on Lorrain Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Music by Judd Woldin. Lyrics by Robert Brittan. Acting Edition. New York: Samuel French, Inc., 1978.