Multimedia: Brandon J. Dirden, Crystal A. Dickinson, Brenda Pressley, Willie Dirden and More at Two River Theater’s Opening Night Party for A RAISIN IN THE SUN
Willie Dirden, Brandon J. Dirden, Andrew Binger, David Joel Rivera, Jasmine Batchelor, Charlie Hudson III, Crystal A. Dickinson, York Walker, Owen Tabaka, Brenda Pressley and Nat DeWolf during the opening night curtain call for Two River Theater’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN on September 15, 2017. Photo by Lia Chang
Two River Theater has another splendid hit in the Rechnitz Theater with the opening of the searing and powerful production of Lorraine Hansberry’s American classic A Raisin in the Sun, brilliantlyhelmed by Carl Cofield.
Willie Dirden, Brandon J. Dirden, Andrew Binger, David Joel Rivera, Brenda Pressley, Jasmine Batchelor, Charlie Hudson III, Crystal A. Dickinson, York Walker, Owen Tabaka, and Nat DeWolf during the opening night curtain call for Two River Theater’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN on September 15, 2017. Photo by Lia Chang
Brandon J. Dirden stars as Walter Lee Younger, his wife Crystal A. Dickinson as Ruth Younger, his father Willie Dirden as Bobo, Brenda Pressley as Lena Younger, Jasmine Batchelor as Beneatha Younger, Nat DeWolf as Karl Lindner, Charlie Hudson III as Joseph Asagai, Owen Tabaka as Travis Younger, York Walker as George Murchison, with Andrew Binger and David Joel Rivera as the Moving Men.
Brandon J. Dirden, Crystal A. Dickinson, Willie Dirden, Andrew Binger, Brenda Pressley, Director Carl Cofield, Nat DeWolf, York Walker, Jasmine Batchelor, Charlie Hudson III (not pictured: Owen Tabaka and David Joel Rivera) Photo by Lia Chang
A Raisin in the Sun marks the first time that Brandon and his father Willie have shared the same stage.
Willie and Deborah Dirden with their daughter, Maria, granddaughter, Emerson, and their sons, James Dirden, Jason Dirden and Brandon Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
There were more than 50 family members in attendance including Two River alum and brother Jason Dirden (Topdog/Underdog,Seven Guitars, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) who currently appears as Basie Skanks on “Greenleaf” on the OWN Network.
The Dirden-Dickinson clan came out to celebrate opening night and Willie Dirden’s 72nd birthday. Photo by Lia Chang
Brandon J. Dirden, Chase Dirden and Crystal A. Dickinson. Photo by Lia Chang
Deborah Dirden, Brenda Pressley and Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden and Jason Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Dirden, Willie Dirden and Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Dirden, Willie Dirden and Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
James Dirden, Willie Dirden, Brandon J. Dirden and Jason Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Dirden, Lia Chang, Willie Dirden and Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Garth Kravits
Brandon J. Dirden, Carl Cofield, Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Allie Woods, a guest and Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
A guest, Allie Woods, Willie Dirden and Jeanine Foster-McKelvia. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden, Allie Woods, Brandon J. Dirden and a guest. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Dirden, Willie Dirden, Jeanine Foster-McKelvia, Brenda Pressley and Allie Woods. Photo by Lia Chang
A guest and Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Crystal A. Dickinson with her crew and guests. Photo by Lia Chang
The double celebration included a cake for Willie Dirden who turned 72 and became a member of Actors Equity Association.
Video produced by Garth Kravits.
Brandon J. Dirden and Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Brandon J. Dirden and Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Brandon J. Dirden and Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden and John Dias. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden celebrates his 72nd birthday on opening night. Photo by Lia Chang
Brandon J. Dirden and Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden and John Dias. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden celebrates his 72nd birthday. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden celebrates his 72nd birthday. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden celebrates his 72nd birthday. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Opening night of Two River Theater’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Photo by Lia Chang
Opening night of Two River Theater’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Photo by Lia Chang
Opening night of Two River Theater’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Photo by Lia Chang
Two River Theater Artistic Director John Dias, Brandon J. Dirden, Willie Dirden and Managing Director Michael Hurst. Photo by Lia Chang
Two River Theater Artistic Director John Dias, Brandon J. Dirden, Willie Dirden and Managing Director Michael Hurst. Photo by Lia Chang
John Dias and Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden’s birthday cake. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden and Jason Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
The creative team includes scenic designers Christopher Swader & Justin Swader, costume designer Elivia Bovenzi, lighting designer Kathy A. Perkins, sound designer Karin Graybash, wig designer Valerie Gladstone and stage manager Lloyd Davis, Jr.
Scenic Designers Justin Swader, Christopher Swader, Brandon J. Dirden, Willie Dirden, Andrew Binger, Owen Tabaka, Director Carl Cofield, Constume Designer Elivia Bovenzi, Nat DeWolf, York Walker, Jasmine Batchelor, Crystal A. Dickinson and Charlie Hudson III. Photo by Lia Chang
Don’t miss the masterful work being done by these artists. Performances continue through Sunday, October 8 in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org
The cast of Two River Theater’s A RAISIN IN THE SUN.
John Dias, Carl Cofield and Michael Cumpsty. Photo by Lia Chang
John Dias and Carl Cofield. Photo by Lia Chang
Bill Sims, Jr. and his wife Karen Wilson. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Dirden, Karen Wilson and Bill Sims Jr. Photo by Lia Chang
A guest, Brandon J. Dirden and Tamara Tunie. Photo by Lia Chang
Carl Cofield, Jasmine Batchelor and John Dias. Photo by Lia Chang
Brenda Pressley and Carl Cofield. Photo by Lia Chang
Tamara Tunie, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Carl Cofield and Erin Cherry. Photo by Lia Chang
Justin Swader, Carl Cofield, Elivia Bovenzi and Christopher Swader. Photo by Lia Chang
Marshall Jones III and Carl Cofield. Photo by Lia Chang
Nat DeWolf, a guest, Jenna Rocca, Joniece Abbott Pratt and Charlie Hudson III. Photo by Lia Chang
Carl Cofield and Ty Jones. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Dirden and Garth Kravits. Photo by Lia Chang
Charlie Hudson III and Joniece Abbott Pratt. Photo by Lia Chang
Peter Van Wagner and Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Terria Joseph, Elain Graham, Marjorie Johnson, Inga Ballard. Photo by Lia Chang
Jasmine Batchelor and Jason Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang
Willie Dirden and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Jasmine Batchelor and Andrew Binger. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang, Brandon J. Dirden and Marjorie Johnson. Photo by Garth Kravits
Carl Cofield, Owen Tabaka, Chrissy Higgins Tabaka, Nita Lynn Tabaka, Adam Patrick Tabaka Jr. (AJ), Adam Patrick Tabaka. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang and Garth Kravits. Photo by Joniece Abbott Pratt
Brian D. Coats and a guest. Photo by Lia Chang
Jasmine Batchelor and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Jasmine Batchelor and Eljon Wardally. Photo by Lia Chang
Brenda Pressley, Lia Chang and Joniece Abbott Pratt. Photo by Garth Kravits
Charlie Hudson III, Owen Tabaka and Andrew Binger. Photo by Lia Chang
Backstage Pass with Lia Chang 