LaTanya Richardson Jackson to co-star in 'Raisin in the Sun'

NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- LaTanya Richardson Jackson is to play Lena Younger opposite Denzel Washington in the upcoming Broadway production of "A Raisin in the Sun," producers announced.

She will replace Diahann Carroll, who has withdrawn from Kenny Leon's staging of Lorraine Hansberry's classic family drama while the show is still in rehearsals.

The producers gave no reason for Carroll's departure, but the actress explained her decision in a statement to Playbill.com Sunday.

"The pace of filming movies and TV projects is quite different than the extensive amount of time preparing and appearing 'live' on Broadway eight times a week. I enjoyed working with Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington, Kenny Leon and an amazing cast and I wish them well," Carroll said in a statement.

The play is to begin performances March 8 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and opening night is set for April 3. The 14-week limited engagement is scheduled to run through June 15.

Jackson made her Broadway debut in the revival of August Wilson's "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." Her off-Broadway credits include "Love, Loss and What I Wore," "Casanova," "For Colored Girls..." and "Spell No. 7." She has also appeared in the films "Mothers and Daughters," "Bolden!," "Blackout," "Freedomland," "The Fighting Temptations," "U.S. Marshalls," "Lone Star," "Losing Isaiah," "When A Man Loves a Woman," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Lorenzo's Oil," "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Malcolm X."