NEW YORK - Two legendary literary figures, the late Lorraine Hansberry and the late James Baldwin are about to take to the virtual stage courtesy of Tony nominees Valisia LeKae and Daniel J. Watts.

“Scenes from Sweet Lorraine” is a dramatic interpretation of the final conversation between novelist Baldwin and Hansberry, who is best known for penning “A Raisin in the Sun.”

LeKae who was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Diana Ross in MOTOWN plays Hansberry.

“It takes place the last week of her life in a hospital room. As she's passing away from pancreatic cancer,” said LeKae who also executive produced this presentation.


What You Need To Know

  • Today Marks World Pancreatic Cancer Day as a part of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

  • Members of the Broadway community are coming together to support and benefit the cause

  • Tony Nominee Valisia LeKae is set to honor Playwright Lorraine Hansberry in a virtual reading of “Scenes from Sweet Lorraine”

Watts, who recently received a Tony nomination for his performance as Ike Turner in the Tina Turner bio musical takes on Baldwin, who died of stomach cancer in the late 80s.

“’Sweet Lorraine’ is a beautiful exploration of friendship between two very, very bright, deep, individuals who happen to be black and queer in a time when both of those things were taboo to even breathe in that.”

For LeKae, this virtual presentation is extra meaningful. Seven years ago at the age of 34, she was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. The same age Hansberry was when she passed away from pancreatic cancer.

“What I found interesting about the moment is that I was able to pick up the torch and sort of where she left off. And so it became my passion, my purpose to continue to share my story, to make sure that women of color, black women specifically -  stories are told and that we get the care and accessibility to treatment that we so rightfully deserve,” said LeKae.

The presentation is set to take place this evening, on World Pancreatic Cancer Day and will act as a benefit for Stand up to Cancer and the Equity in the Arts and Culture Committee of the Brooklyn NAACP.

“I must admit as a child, I, something I always told myself was that, I wanted to change the world and sometimes you don't know how you're going to get to that place. And it seems like a big, big notion that this little tiny black girl from Tennessee is going to come into this world and sort of make her mark on it. And I feel like that I was blessed to do that with theater, but we all have a greater purpose beyond the stage. And I'm hoping that my story will inspire people to go for what they want, even in the midst of darkness, even in the midst of tragedy, that there is still something you can do to even reach one soul,” said LeKae with tears in her eyes.

To see “Scenes from Sweet Lorraine” head to SweetLorrainetheplay.com