album · November 23, 1973

Raisin (original Broadway cast recording)

original cast

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Masterworks BroadwaySee this day

soulr&bgospel

This 1973 original Broadway cast recording documents a significant moment in musical theater, bringing Hansberry's powerful story to life with a score by Judd Woldin and Robert Brittan. The album showcases a blend of soul, R&B, and gospel influences that defined the musical's sound.

• The musical "Raisin" opened on Broadway at the Royale Theatre on October 18, 1973, and ran for 845 performances. The recording was released by Masterworks Broadway, a label known for its cast albums and classical recordings. It was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1974.
• The cast featured notable performers such as Virginia Capers as Lena Younger and Joe Morton as Walter Lee Younger. The score integrated elements of soul, R&B, and gospel music to reflect the African-American experience depicted in the play.
• This recording was released in November 1973, shortly after the musical's Broadway premiere. It has since become a definitive document of the original production and its musical arrangements.

The original cast of "Raisin" featured some of the most prominent vocalists and performers from the early 1970s Broadway scene. This recording captures their work on a musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's seminal play "A Raisin in the Sun."