The Bill Mutimer Summer Theatre Series stages a musical about Argentinian first lady Eva Peron and the PA Shakespeare Festival opens a groundbreaking play about the African-American experience in America.

“Evita” runs June 25 to July 6 at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem Township.

“A Raisin in the Sun” runs June 25 to July 13 at DeSales University in Center Valley.

At PA Shakespeare Festival, Akeem Davis directs Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” considered a landmark of American theater. The play examines a black family’s experiences in south Chicago as they attempt to improve their financial circumstances and deal with matters of housing discrimination, racism, and assimilation.

“A Raisin in the Sun” debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem “Harlem” by poet and social activist Langston Hughes.

The Younger family Walter (Brandon E. Burton) and Ruth (Noelle Diane Johnson), and their son Travis (Kian E. Cooper, Octavian Suomie), along with Walter’s mother Lena (Kimberly S. Fairbanks) and younger sister Beneatha (Billie Wyatt), live in poverty in a run-down two-bedroom apartment on Chicago’s South Side.

When a life-changing insurance check arrives, all three generations are suddenly given the chance to turn their hopes into reality. Walter longs to be his own boss, Beneatha dreams of becoming a doctor, and Mama Younger envisions a home where they can finally flourish.

As they navigate the complex landscape of 1950s America, the Younger family discovers that unity, resilience and love can overcome even the toughest challenges in their pursuit of a better life.

The cast includes Keith Livingston, Jamir Fisher, Matt Pfeiffer and Isaiah Caleb Stanley.

“Hansberry’s play has delivered abundantly and appreciated in value,” says Davis. “It offers classic roles that only grow richer over time, all while stoking maybe the most important conversation of our country’s existence: Who gets access to The Dream?

“Even now nearly 70 years later, is a treatise on the devastating value of liberty in a person’s navigation of the world. The play is a profound consideration of the zero-sum game of capitalism, where money sets price but doesn’t necessarily speak to value, or worth,” Davis says.

The production is recommended for ages 13 and older for mature language and adult themes.

Meet the actors for a talk-back after July 3 and July 10 performances.

The July 12 performance has audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired.

“A Raisin in the Sun,” 7:30 p.m. June 25, 26, 27, July 3, 9, 19, 11; 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. June 28, July 2, 5, 12; 2 p.m. June 29, July 6, 13; 6:30 p.m. July 1, 8, PA Shakespeare Festival, Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-9455, https://pashakespeare.org/

“Evita,” with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is based on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón (Olivia Hudson, Abby Arza), second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón (Dan Melo).

The musical follows Eva from her teen years as a poor girl in the small town of Junin, where she longs for an acting career, fame and fortune. She soon learns that her feminine wiles hold power in a culture and a political system run by men.

Once she arrive in Buenos Aires, Eva works her way up the ladder using her powers of seduction, eventually seducing Perón, a rising political figure who is running for president of Argentina. As first lady, Eva aligns herself with the poor, winning herself and Perón popularity among Argentinians.

A young and then unknown revolutionary, Ché (Matias de la Fleur), narrates the rise and fall of Eva’s rise to power, charity work and death.

The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. Its success led to productions in London’s West End in 1978 and on Broadway in 1979, where it was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning seven Tonys, including for Best Musical.

The role of Eva is shared by Hudson and Arza. Hudson performs June 25, 27, 29, July 3 and 5. Arza performs June 26, 28, July 2, 4 and 6.

The cast includes Marcel Mackenzie, Anjelica Soto, Maria Shorunke, Jenna Williamson, Bella Ambroise, Lauren Cook, Nikki Cohen, Mackenzie Hall, Za’Naisha McGuire, Lucy Moore, Adrian Colon-Burgos, Alejandro Nevarro, Harrison Fox, Porter Severino, Connor Sternberg, Jayden McFaddin, Gavin Lee Smith, Jordan Joseph, Aidan Weller and Kensi Christman.

Gustavo Wons directs and choreographs; Lucille Kinkaid is musical director, and Brett Oliveira is technical director.

“Evita,” 7:30 p.m. June 25, 26, 27, 28, July 2, 3, 5; 2 p.m. June 29, July 6; 5 p.m. July 4, Bill Mutimer Summer Theatre Series, Lipkin Theater, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township. 484-484-3412, https://www.ncctix.org/

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com