Phylicia Rashad is taking on a whole new role as the director a stage production. 
Phylicia Rashad is taking on a whole new role as the director a stage production.
The Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT) announced today that Phylicia will take the reigns for their production of A Raisin in the Sun. “The Cosby Show” star is very familiar with the material because she starred as Lena Younger in a TV version of the play, which aired on ABC, back in 2008.
Set to debut in March 2011, A Raisin in the Sun will be ERT’s first fully staged production in more than two decades.
“Ebony Repertory Theatre is deeply honored to have the inimitable Phylicia Rashad make her Los Angeles directorial debut with our production of A Raisin In The Sun,” said company founder-director Wren T. Brown.
Wren added that he knows his co-founder, Israel Hicks, would also have been thrilled about Phylicia taking creative control for this production as well.
“Israel often spoke of his immense respect for Ms. Rashad’s abundant artistry and her uncommon grace,” Wren said. “Needless to say, we are tremendously excited about the opportunity to work with this great lady of the theater."
Between this play and promoting her current film, Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls, Phylicia will have her hands full. There’s no word on when rehearsal will begin, or if Phylicia will reprise her role as Lena, but tickets for the play go on sale on November 1 at www.ebonyrep.org.
– Sonya Eskridge
Here’s more:
‘Colored Girls’ trailer released
Jenny Craig calls on Phylicia Rashad
