Friday, March 29, 2024

Broadway: Diahann Carroll to Play Denzel’s Mother in “Raisin in the Sun”

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Exclusive: No one will confirm this, but I know it in my gut after too many whispers: the great and beautiful Diahann Carroll is plotting a Broadway return. Carroll, I am told, is going to play the mother of Denzel Washington in Kenny Leon’s revival of “A Raisin the Sun.”

Scott Rudin doesn’t like these scoops, but frankly, he’s putting together a brilliant production. He’s a great showman like David Merrick. Seeing Cicely Tyson’s big Tony sweep this year, Carroll is making the right decision and Rudin is very smart to cast her. Last week I told you that Sophie Okenedo and Anika Noni Rose have also been cast as members of the Younger family. Now just George, the suave boyfriend, and a couple of other smaller parts have to be cast.

Carroll was last seen on Broadway in “Agnes of God” some thirty years ago– 1983. Before that she starred in Richard Rodgers’ “No String” in 1962-63 and “House of Cards” in the mid 1950s. Of course, she’s never stopped working on TV and in films, from her landmark series “Julia” to “Dynasty” and lots, lots more. She can also sing like a bird, so maybe once “Raisin” gets going she’ll do a night at 54 Below.

This will all be announced officially in good time, but frankly, I can’t wait to see this play.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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