A Raisin in the Sun October 19, 1959, and closed on June 25, 1960, after 530 total performances. Directed by Lloyd Richards, the cast comprised: Ossie Davis later took over as Walter Lee Younger, and Frances Williams as Lena Younger. Waiting for the curtain to rise on opening night, Hansberry and producer Rose did not expect the play to be a success, for it had already received mixed reviews from a preview audience the night before. Though it won popular and critical acclaim, reviewers argued about whether the play was "universal" or particular to African-American experience. It was then produced on tour. "A Raisin in
What a Life (play) With the Wind" (1939). A 1982 attempted revival of "What a Life" at the Manhattan Punch Line failed. The production was panned in "The New York Times", with reviewer Mel Gussow writing: "The play is piffle. Far funnier efforts can be seen nightly in television reruns of situation comedies. Next to "What a Life," "Leave It to Beaver" is Moliere." The play was initially adapted to radio as comedy segments on Rudy Vallee's program. Next came a separate radio program, "The Aldrich Family". Film adaptation came in the form of 11 motion pictures. Finally, a television series, also called "The