Bruce Norris’ award-winning Clybourne Park is a provocative, satirical exploration of race in America. Often paired in production with Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun which was its inspiration, Clybourne Park has gone on to inspire other playwrights to continue the discussions at the heart of Hansberry’s seminal work.
In 1959, Russ and Bev have lost their connection to their community and have decided to leave their Clybourne Park home for a nice little spot in the suburbs close to Russ’ work. Clashes arise when the Community Association learns that the new residents will be a black family, the first in the neighborhood. Fast forward to 2009, when the same property is being sold to a young white couple who is planning to demolish the house and start over. A petition to the Landmarks committee by some black neighbors hopes to protect the historic qualities of the current structure. In both of these negotiations, Clybourne Park is a community on the brink of change, pushing its residents to decide which side of history they will be on. Clybourne Park explores what constitutes a neighborhood and who owns the right to preserve it.
as a part of THE RAISIN CYCLE
Initially set on the same day as the final scene in A Raisin in the Sun, Clybourne Park looks at the Younger family’s story from the perspective of the Near North Side Chicago neighborhood where Lena Younger just purchased a home. Jumping from 1959 to 2009, the play also considers the repercussions for the next generation as Lena Younger’s great-niece navigates a new type of changing neighborhood.
playwright Bruce Norris
director Mark Baer
dramaturg Annaliese McSweeney
scenic design Katherine Arfken
costume design Brenda Winstead
lighting design
sound design
Act 1
Russ (white, 40s)
Bev (married to Russ; white, 40s)
Francine (black, 30s)
Albert (married to Francine, black, 30s)
Jim (white, 20s)
Karl (white, 30s)
Betsy (married to Karl, late 20s)
Act 2
Tom (played by the actor who played Jim)
Lindsey (played by the actor who played Betsy)
Kathy (played by the actor who played Bev)
Steve (married to Lindsey; played by the actor who played Karl)
Lena (played by the actor who played Francine)
Kevin (married to Lena;played by the actor who played Albert)
Dan (played by the actor who played Russ)
Kenneth (played by the actor who played Jim)