Four Tony Awards for Larchmont Producers:
“ A Raisin in the Sun” Makes History

by Joan R. Simon

(June 17, 2004) A Raisin in the Sun star Phylicia Rashad (already well-known for her role as Mrs. Huxtable on the “Cosby Show”) made history at the Tony Awards on June 6 by becoming the first black woman to win honors for best leading actress in a play. Cheering from the audience were two proud producers – and Larchmont mothers – Ruth Hendel and Barbara Whitman (See: Raisin Producers.) The revival of Raisin also stars music mogul Sean Combs (aka P. Diddy) and Audra McDonald, who received her fourth Tony for best featured actress. Since opening in late April, it has pulled in record audiences, outpacing many of Broadway’s hottest musicals.

“We’re so thrilled that Audra and Phylicia won,” commented Ms. Whitman. “The two ladies are incredible.” Both actresses won 2004 Drama Desk Awards, as well.

There was more good news at the Tonys for Ms. Hendel who is also a producer for several other current Broadway shows: Tony Kushner’s new musical Caroline, or Change received honors for Anika Noni Rose for best featured actress in a musical and Frozen won the best featured actor award for Brian F. O’Byrne.

Of the Raisin awards, Ms. Hendel commented, “I’m thrilled for Phylicia Rashad. In the role of Lena Younger, she is a mother figure that we can all aspire to. She was in excellent company,” she added, “but not surprisingly, I was partial to the three fantastic actresses who were in my productions” (Swootzie Kurtz in Frozen, Tovah Feldshuh in Golda’s Balcony and Rashad).