Danielle Brooks, Samuel L Jackson, and John David Washington star in August Wilson’s hauntingly riveting Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “The Piano Lesson“.
It is no surprise that the Broadway revival of Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson”, now under the direction of LaTanya Richardson Jackson, is already receiving rave reviews even after opening just last month at Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York City.
While the play was first staged in 1987 at the Yale Repertory Theater, it has since gone on to premiere at numerous iconic theaters, such as the Walter Kerr; and continues to receive accolades for its depiction of African American life in 1936.
From the audience’s perspective, one becomes engrossed in The Piano Lesson’s southern setting before Brooks even first appears on stage.
While all scenes take place in the rustic home of Berniece (Danielle Brooks) and her uncle Doaker (Samuel L Jackson), the stage direction has a way of keeping the audience transfixed throughout its stunning production.
The house itself is constructed with wooden beams, many of which are intricately separated or broken, to mimic the fragmented bond between the Charles family it houses.
As you may have guessed, this story heavily surrounds a piano, but not just any old one. The Charles family piano is somewhat of a character all on its own – it is a renowned relic, with the faces of enslaved ancestors delicately carved into it.
As precious as this instrument is, Boy Willie (John David Washington) refuses to leave without it and visits his sister Bernice’s home in desperation to sell it and acquire enough funds to purchase land in the North.
Willie even enlists the help of his friend, Lymon (Ray Fisher), much against the opposition from Bernice herself, uncle Doaker, local pastor, Avery (Trai Byers) who longs for Bernice’s affection, and Wining Boy (Michael Potts), a piano player and Doaker’s older brother.
As the piano is a family heirloom, one which Bernice and Willie Boy’s father “stole” back from a slave owner years prior, it visibly refuses to budge from its placement in the family living room.
Willie Boy’s persistence to sell the piano begins to draw unwanted attention not only from his family but also from a ghost named Sutter, roaming the halls of the Carles family home.
Throughout the duration of the 2-hour and 20-minute play, the audience witnesses a growing tension amongst the family, as they unravel years of pent-up grief.
Particularly stand-out performances were seen by Washington, as his character, Willy Boys’ anger could be felt vibrating across the theater.
Another comes from a romantic moment shared between Berniece and Lymon, which involved Bernice giving into her sensuality as a woman and allowing herself to be desired – this brought on a couple of “woo’s” echoing amongst the audience.
One particular prominent moment during this production involved a rhythmic number performed by Potts, Washington, Fisher, and Jackson while gathered around a kitchen table.
The group exuberantly sings a song aptly titled, “Work Song”, while clapping their hands and stomping their feet to the beat singing, “when you marry, don’t marry no farming man, hoh-ah.”
Between this production of The Piano Lesson’s unique supernatural elements, (occasionally involving wispy smoke emitting from downstage), upstanding performances, and profound story, one is certainly in for a memorable theatrical experience.
You can get in on the magic behind this striking Broadway revival from now until the show’s closing on Sunday, January 15th.
