A Breakthrough 50's Drama Revived in a Suspenseful Mood
Ben BrantleyApril 27, 2004: Sean Combs's shadow precedes him at the Royale Theater. That's literally as well as figuratively. In the moment before Mr. Combs makes his hotly awaited entrance in the seriously off-center revival of Lorraine Hansberry's ''Raisin in the Sun,'' which opened last night, his wavering shadow is cast from offstage, heralding his arrival like a soft, urgent fanfare. Audra McDonald, the first-rate actress playing his wife, calls his character's name -- ''Walter Lee, it's time for you to get up!'' -- and you can feel the audience drawing a collective breath.
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