South Side Untold: The First Black Woman in America to Have a Play on Broadway
Hint: She lived in Woodlawn, and her iconic play was inspired by life on Chicago’s South Side.
Hey there, Chicago Southsiders,
We can’t celebrate Women’s History Month on the South Side without giving flowers to Lorraine Hansberry — a true South Side legend! If you grew up here, you probably heard her name in school or even read A Raisin in the Sun. But did you know she made history in 1959 as the first Black woman to have a play produced on Broadway?
What’s even more —- her story still hits home today. A Raisin in the Sun follows a Black family navigating dreams, struggles, and tough decisions right here on the South Side. If you’ve ever had a grandma dropping wisdom, an uncle chasing his next big idea, or siblings debating the future, you’ll see your own family on that stage.
Great news! Court Theatre is bringing this classic to life—and we’ve got an exclusive 25% discount just for Southsider readers below! 🎟️
Learn more here. There are still tickets remaining for tonight’s show.
📅 Now Playing
📍 Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL
📞 Box Office: (773) 753-4472
Who are the South Side women making history today? We want to hear from you! Reply to this email or tag us on social media with your stories.
Until next time, keep making history.
—Charlene Rhinehart
Publisher, Chicago Southsider 🖤
Sponsored By:
A RAISIN IN THE SUN - Now Showing at Court Theatre until March 23rd!
Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow, (Left to right) Kierra Bunch, Brian Keys, Jeremias Darville, Shanésia Davis, and Martasia Jones.
✨ A RAISIN IN THE SUN – Staged sixty years after Lorraine Hansberry’s passing, Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent (Antigone) brings Hansberry’s masterpiece home to Chicago’s vibrant South Side and Court’s stage for the very first time.
✨ Exclusive 25% Discount for Southsider Readers
Enjoy 25% off evening performances of A Raisin in the Sun!
CODE: Southsider
How to Redeem:
Use promo code "Southsider" at checkout
Select "Discount" price online
Call (773) 753-4472 and mention the offer
📅 Limited availability—get your tickets now!
🔗 Click here to purchase
South Side News At a Glance
‘A Raisin in the Sun’ features Chicago natives. South Side’s Whitney Young Alum Charles Andrew Gardner Debuts at Court Theatre.
Did You Know Lorraine Hansberry Lived in Woodlawn? Lorraine Hansberry made history in 1959 as the first African American woman to have a play, A Raisin in the Sun, produced on Broadway.
Developers Transform Vacant Lots into 30 New Homes. Vacant lots on the block of 6300 South Evans Avenue on Chicago’s South Side were once worth $6,000. Now, they are worth over $8 million.
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