Hope Summer Repertory Theatre will offer a post-show discussion on Tuesday, July 1, following the season’s final performance of “A Raisin in the Sun.”

Patrice Rankine, Dean for the Arts and Humanities and professor of Classics at Hope, will host the talk-back, which will occur immediately after the curtain in the Knickerbocker Theatre.  In addition to the dean, the forum will feature David Colacci, artistic director of HSRT, as well as Rich Perez, the managing director of HSRT.  The 30-minute informal discussion will allow audience members to process and engage in deeper thought about the themes inherent in “A Raisin in the Sun,” and the significance of the production for audiences today.

According to Rankine, “A Raisin in the Sun” is “a classic of American theatre,” with themes that render it worthy of being read “in the same light as Sophocles’ ‘Antigone’ or Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman.’”  At the same time, the complex, sympathetic characters, “alive as any on the American stage,” continue to captivate today’s audiences as they “struggle with personal limitations and soaring ambitions.”  In the words of Rankine, “Each character wants to find love and meaning and truth in all that is happening around them.  We cry with each one, but, equally important, we laugh with each one—hysterically at times.”

Perhaps most importantly, “A Raisin in the Sun” serves as both “a study of history” and “a profoundly prophetic foreshadowing of our own time,” which invites community members to reengage in the discussion about their “collective cultural experiences.” HSRT is pleased to foster such conversation through this post-show discussion, which provides the opportunity for community members to join in a consideration of the “importance of the play and its staging in Holland” this summer.

“A Raisin in the Sun” is currently playing at the Knickerbocker Theatre at 86 E. 8th Street in downtown Holland.  Remaining shows are at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 27, and Tuesday, July 1.  Individual tickets are now on sale at the DeWitt Ticket Office (141 E. 12th St), which is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon until intermission.  Also, the college’s downtown ticket office, located at 100 E. 8th Street, is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Adult tickets are $24 for Mezzanine and Balcony and $21 for Obstructed.  Tickets for seniors, faculty and staff are at $22 for Mezzanine or Balcony and $18 for Obstructed.  Student tickets are $15. Patrons can also purchase individual tickets online by visiting hope.edu/hsrt or calling (616) 395-7890.

Ticket options also include Season Ticket Packages, which save patrons up to 38 percent off individual ticket prices and guarantee a terrific seat for every performance.  Season Ticket Packages are available now at both ticket office locations. The Best Buy Package offers seating for four main-stage performances for only $75 for adults, $70 for seniors and $40 for students.  The Super-Saver Package includes seating limited to the orchestra and admission to the four main-stage productions for $60 for both adults and seniors and $40 for students.

More information available online at www.hope.edu/hsrt.