Anika Noni Rose & Sophie Okonedo Talk ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ Broadway Revival in Elle

Sophie Okonedo & Anika Noni Rose for Elle April 2014 photographed by Gregory Costanzo

Stars of the latest revival of Lorraine Hansberry ’s A Raisin in the Sun , Anika Noni Rose ( Caroline ) and Sophie Okonedo ( Hotel Rwanda ) speak on the classic play’s relevance in the April 2014 issue of Elle Magazine .

Oscar nominated Sophie, who grew up in northwest London with a white Jewish mother and a black Nigerian father, had to catch up on the historical background of the play, but found it “extraordinary” —not just for its time but “in the context of now.”

Debuting on Broadway in 1959, A Raisin in the Sun chronicles a family’s struggle with race and real estate.

“[A Raisin in the Sun ] is good for us as performers, and an amazing tribute to the woman as a writer, but unfortunate for us as a society,” says Broadway vet and Tony Award winning Anika. “People who work all the time and pool their resources still can’t afford an apartment without roaches, or with enough space for everyone to close their door, or a house with a patch of land.”

Alongside Denzel Washington , Anika and Sophie bring the much-anticipated reboot to life 55 years later, starting Friday, April 4th. To buy tickets, go to broadway.com .

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