Final answer:
A Raisin in the Sun was first shown on Broadway in 1959 and became a significant work in American theatre, discussing racial tensions and identity through its characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Raisin in the Sun was first shown on Broadway. This landmark play, written by Lorraine Hansberry, made its theatrical debut in 1959. It focused on the profound social issues of the time, centering on an African American family grappling with the death of the patriarch, Walter Younger Sr., and the subsequent life insurance money. The play's stage history signifies its impact and its role in discussing racial tensions and identity.
Building upon the successes of plays like Langston Hughes' Mulatto, which previously held the record for the longest-running African American drama on Broadway, A Raisin in the Sun took this to a new level, bringing Hansberry's sharp social commentary to mainstream audiences and earning its place in theatrical and cultural history.