SEAN COMBS (Walter Lee Younger) appeared opposite Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball and made his acting debut in the film Made. As CEO and founder of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, which is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary, he has established himself as a music pioneer, producing chart-dominating hits for superstar artists like Aretha Franklin, Sting, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez and Notorious B.I.G. As a solo artist and performer, he’s released four multi-platinum albums, and this year won his third Grammy Award for the #1 song “Shake Ya Tailfeather” from the Bad Boys II soundtrack, which he executive produced. In addition to music, Combs has broadened the Bad Boy brand to encompass publishing, management, marketing and advertising, films, restaurants and the Sean John clothing line, which was nominated for four consecutive years for the Perry Ellis Menswear Designer of the Year Award.  This past year, Sean added title of “Marathon Man” to his slate having completed the 2003 New York City Marathon for children’s charities. Sean raised over 2 million dollars and continues to play an active role in raising awareness of education and health issues facing the children of New York City. Sean is a proud father to sons Justin and Christian and stepson Quincy.

AUDRA McDONALD (Ruth Younger) recently appeared on Broadway in Lincoln Center’s acclaimed Henry IV. A three-time Tony Award winner, for her performances in Ragtime, Master Class and Carousel, she also starred in Marie Christine (Tony nom.). TV includes “Wit” (Emmy nom.) directed by Mike Nichols (HBO), “Having Our Say” (CBS), “Annie” (ABC/Disney), “Law & Order: SVU,” and the honorable but short-lived “Mr. Sterling” (NBC) co-starring Josh Brolin. PBS appearances include “A Richard Rodgers Celebration,” “A Capitol Fourth,” “Broadway Leading Ladies,” “Leonard Bernstein’s New York” and her solo concert, “Divas at the Donmar.” At Carnegie Hall, she made her debut in 1998, singing with the SF Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas, played Julie Jordan opposite Hugh Jackman in a concert version of Carousel, and made her solo debut in 2002. Other concerts: LA Philharmonic, NY Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, Tanglewood, Boston Pops, National Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), Royal Albert Hall/BBC Proms (London). Her three solo albums, Happy Songs, How Glory Goes and Way Back to Paradise, were released by Nonesuch Records. Her other recordings include a live concert of Dreamgirls, Sweeney Todd: Live at the Philharmonic, Cradle Will Rock (BMG) and Wonderful Town (EMI). Training: Juilliard, B.M. in voice. Favorite career move: Mommy to Zoe Madeline Donovan.

PHYLICIA RASHAD (Lena Younger) previously appeared on Broadway in Jelly’s Last Jam, Into the Woods, Dreamgirls, The Wiz and Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death. Recent Off-Broadway includes Blue, The Story, Everybody’s Ruby and The Vagina Monologues. Recent regional credits include Blues for an Alabama Sky and Medea (Alliance), and August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean (Mark Taper Forum). She received NAACP Image Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her performances on “The Cosby Show” and “Cosby.” The twice Emmy-nominated and People’s Choice Award winner is also a recipient of the NY Women in Film and Telelvision Muse Award and has appeared in the TV films “Free of Eden,” co-starring Sidney Poitier, “David’s Mother” and three films directed by her sister, Debbie Allen: “Polly,” “Polly - Comin’ Home!” and “The Old Settler” (on which she was co-executive producer). Films include Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored directed by Tim Reid, Loving Jezebel and The Visit.  Ms. Rashad serves as spokesperson for PRASAD, an international philanthropic organization and is on the board of Recruiting New Teachers. An accomplished singer, she’s a member of Broadway Inspirational Voices and has performed with major symphonies across the country. She earned a BFA from the College of Fine Arts at Howard University.

SANAA LATHAN (Beneatha Younger) was last seen starring opposite Denzel Washington in the crime thriller Out of Time, for which she earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress. She recently completed filming Alien vs. Predator, in which she stars and is due out this summer. Previously, she starred in Brown Sugar alongside Taye Diggs (NAACP nomination, BET Award nomination as Best Actress), The Best Man opposite Taye Diggs (NAACP nomination, Best Supporting Actress), Love and Basketball opposite Omar Epps (NAACP Award, Best Actress and Independent Spirit Award nomination, Best Actress), Life with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, Blade with Wesley Snipes and The Wood. Television credits include a series regular role on NBC’s “Lateline” with Al Franken and the HBO film “Disappearing Acts” opposite Wesley Snipes. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, she’s appeared in numerous regional theatre productions and has performed Off-Broadway in The Vagina Monologues, Por’ Knockers, A Movie Has to Star in Black and White (at The Public) and Measure for Measure (at The Delacorte for Shakespeare in the Park).

DAVID AARON BAKER (Karl Lindner). Broadway: The Rainmaker, Once Upon a Mattress, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, The Moliere Comedies, White Liars/Black Comedy, The Flowering Peach. Off-Broadway: Rose’s Dilemma, The Glory of Living, Hobson’s Choice, Ancestral Voices, Bosoms and Neglect, Blue Window, Durang Durang, Oblivion Postponed. Film includes Woody Allen’s Melinda and Melinda (2004), Marie and Bruce (2004), Kissing Jessica Stein, and Tao of Steve. Television includes Disney’s “The Music Man,” “The Practice,” “Law & Order,” “L&O: Special Victims Unit,” “L&O: Criminal Intent,” “Sex and the City” and “Spin City.” Education: The Juilliard School, University of Texas-Austin, Illinois State University.

LAWRENCE BALLARD (Moving Man / Understudy for Asagai & George) is a graduate of Rutgers University with an MFA. He has made appearances on TV and his last stage production was Blues for an Alabama Sky in which he starred as Leland and was directed by Harold Scott. He is thankful to the cast and crew and would like to give special thanks to James Calleri, Mark Schlegel, Honey Raider, Talent Representatives, Bill Esper, Kenny Leon and Harold Scott.

TEAGLE F. BOUGERE (Joseph Asagai) last appeared on Broadway in The Tempest as Caliban (Drama League Award). He most recently starred in Blue/Orange (Christopher) at The Old Globe. Off-Broadway: Ossie Davis’ A Last Dance For Sybill with Ruby Dee (Mlolu); The Winter’s Tale, C.S.C. (Autolycus); A Fair Country, Lincoln Center (Hilton); Antony & Cleopatra with Vanessa Redgrave (Eros), Space (Taj Mahal), Henry V with Andre Braugher (Dauphin), all at The Public. Film: A Beautiful Mind, Two Weeks Notice, The Imposters, The Pelican Brief. TV: “Cosby,” “Third Watch,” “The Job,” “Law & Order.” He lovingly dedicates these performances to his mother and to his beautiful new bride.

FRANK HARTS (George Murchison) is a Juilliard graduate, honored to be making his Broadway debut in this powerhouse of a play in care of such wonderful and talented people. Theatre credits include Michael Greif’s production of Monster, After the Show and Up Against the Wind: Tupac Story. Film/TV: Jane Campion’s In the Cut, Bought & Sold (for which he also composed a song), “Queens Supreme.” He’s President/CEO of The Identity Organization, which focuses on multi-racial Americans. ‘Much love to God who delivered me from the stomach of the whale, and to my family for supporting me from the shores to the deep and back again.’

BILLY EUGENE JONES (Moving Man / Understudy for Walter Lee & Bobo) is a recent graduate of the Yale School of Drama and very proud to be a part of one of the greatest plays of all time. He performed in many productions at Yale including Othello, A Streetcar Named Desire, Our Town, As You Like It and originated roles in The Muckle Man and The Mystery Plays by Roberto Aguirre Sacasa. Regional: Yale Repertory Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Stage West, Great Lakes Theatre, Theatre Three and others. Film/TV: Hexed, High Ambitions, Comic View, “Madison Heights” and “Wishbone.”

ALEXANDER MITCHELL (Travis Younger) made his Broadway debut in The Lion King as Young Simba and portrayed Percy in The Miracle Worker. He also portrayed Ed Lynch in the film Into the Fire, has done a voiceover for the animated series Kenny the Shark and portrayed Junior in the staged reading of The Story of My Father. He is very honored to share the stage with such a distinguished and loving cast. He thanks his family for their support.

BILL NUNN (Bobo) is a veteran of both stage and screen, having appeared in over fifty films and numerous theatrical productions. Raisin marks Nunn’s Broadway debut. He can also be seen in the upcoming Spiderman 2 as Robbie Robertson. He lives in Georgia with his wife, Donna, and daughters, Jessica and Cydney.

UNDERSTUDIES

MARTIN KILDARE (Understudy for Lindner). Broadway: Lion King, Herbal Bed, Government Inspector, Timon of Athens. Off-Broadway: Pride’s Crossing (Lincoln Center), Candida (Pearl Theatre), Labor Day (MTC). Regional: Folger Theatre; Dallas Theater Center; Studio Arena; A.C.T.; SF, California, Utah and Alabama Shakespeare Festivals. TV: “Law & Order,” “Ed,” “Deadline,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “All My Children,” “One Life to Live.”

GRETA OGLESBY (Understudy for Lena). Theatre: The Goodman: Gem of the Ocean, Amen Corner, A Raisin in the Sun. Steppenwolf Theatre: Goodbye Stranger, Whispering City. Penumbra Theatre: Dinah Was, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, A Love Song for Miss Lydia. CTC: Do Lord Remember Me, Shakin’ the Mess Out of Misery. The Guthrie Theatre: Crowns.

AARON PANNELL (Understudy for Travis) is thrilled to be a part of Raisin. His credits include Nickelodeon’s “Fairly Odd Parents” and an educational film. Aaron enjoys reading, dancing, sports and video games and is a blue belt in martial arts. Thanks to God, Mom and Dad, Roddy and Taj, Frontier Booking and Noble Talent.

HEATHER ALICIA SIMMS (Understudy for Beneatha/Ruth). Broadway: Ma Rainey (Dussie Mae). Off-Broadway: Exonerated; Breath, Boom; Insurrection: Holding History; Three Sisters. Regional: Joe Turner’s…, Spunk, Flyin’ West. TV: “Whoopi,” “Third Watch,” “Homicide,” “Law & Order,” “As the World Turns.”  Film: Head of State, Shock Act, Kings County.  MFA: Columbia.  Honor to God and her wonderful family and friends.

CYRUS FARMER (Understudy for Asagai/George/Bobo/Moving Men). Stage: Salvage Baas, With a Hammer and a Nail (EST), Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labours Lost (King’s Co. Shakespeare).  Film: City By the Sea, Don’t Say a Word, City of Industry.  TV: “The Jury,” “Law & Order,” “Oz,” “The Corner,” “Brooklyn South,” “The Practice.” He’s currently playing the recurring role of Craig Woodruff on “NYPD Blue.”

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