Recent Broadway cast to star in TV version of play

Sean "Diddy" Combs and ABC are bringing a version of the classic play "A Raisin in the Sun" to television.

The movie adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's play will star Combs and his castmates from the Tony-winning revival that debuted on Broadway in 2004. Combs will also produce, along with Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Chicago," "Life with Judy Garland").

"We're thrilled to not only be bringing this timeless story to television, but with the award-winning Broadway cast," says Quinn Taylor, who oversees movies and miniseries for ABC. "This movie combines the best of Broadway and Hollywood for a television event."

In addition to Combs, ABC's version of "A Raisin in the Sun" will star Sanaa Lathan ("Something New"), Phylicia Rashad ("The Cosby Show") and Audra McDonald ("The Bedford Diaries"). Rashad and McDonald won Tony Awards for their roles in the revival, and Lathan was nominated.

"A Raisin in the Sun" tells the story of the Youngers, a black family on Chicago's South Side, and their differing ideas on how to make a better life. It was the first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway; its original cast in 1959 included Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Louis Gossett Jr. They also reprised their roles in a 1961 feature film.

Kenny Leon, who staged the 2004 Broadway revival, will direct the film version for ABC. Paris Qualles ("The Tuskegee Airmen") will adapt the play for television.