John Stamos Joins Cast of ABC-TV's A Raisin in the Sun | Playbill

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News John Stamos Joins Cast of ABC-TV's A Raisin in the Sun John Stamos has joined the cast of the upcoming ABC television movie adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun starring the 2004 Broadway revival cast.

Kenny Leon, who staged the Broadway revival, will direct the TV film starring Sean Combs, Sanaa Lathan and Tony Award winners Audra McDonald and Phylicia Rashad.

The small-screen version will use a script penned by Paris Qualles, based on the original Hansberry play. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (the TV versions of "Cinderella," "Annie" and the film "Chicago") produce the work for Sony Pictures. Filming is reportedly scheduled to begin in December for a 2007 broadcast.

Stamos — who will take on the role of Karl Lindner — became known to television audiences as the hip Uncle Jesse on the sitcom "Full House" and currently enjoys a turn on "ER." The sometime-drummer for The Beach Boys has made a name for himself on Broadway as a replacement player in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Cabaret (as the Emcee) and Nine (succeeding Antonio Banderas).

A Raisin in the Sun centers on the Younger family who are dealing with the loss of their patriarch and the fortune of his insurance money in the close quarters of their home in Chicago's Southside in the 1950s.

A Raisin in the Sun premiered in 1959. It was the first Broadway play written by, directed by and starring African-Americans. Lloyd Richards directed a cast including Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Diana Sands, Ruby Dee and Louis Gossett — who also appeared in the 1961 film version. The play was also adapted for a 1989 TV movie starring Danny Glover and Esther Rolle and also served as source material for the musical, Raisin. The 2004 revival was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Play. Both Rashad and McDonald took home honors for their work.

Further casting is yet to be announced.

 
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