An adaptation of August Wilson’s play, The Piano Lesson, provides an insightful look into the lives of African Americans in the 1930s. Berniece views it as a sacred family heirloom, while Boy Willie wants to sell it to buy the Sutter land that has gone up for sale following James Sutter’s death. Each actor brings nuance to their roles: Berniece …
Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece and John David Washington as Boy Willie in "The Piano Lesson." Denzel Washington serves as executive producer of the Netflix adaptation, his third Wilson on-screen production after “Fences” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” The new adaptation is a family affair. A Slant review of the film really hits the nail on the head: “With a full …
In The Piano Lesson, the piano in Doaker Charles’ house is not just a musical instrument. Whenever Doaker’s elder brother, Wining Boy is in doldrums, he visits Doaker and reminiscences about his glory days as a piano player. For Wining Boy, the piano is a burden, which he has to carry around wondering “am I me or am I the …
The piano on the set of “The Piano Lesson” was not a mere prop. 1 on the call sheet.” “We tried to haunt the piano itself, to charge it with that kind of spirit,” says Malcolm Washington, the film’s director and John David’s brother. In “The Piano Lesson,” August Wilson’s 1987 play, the piano is a central symbol of heritage, …
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. 1 on the call sheet.” “We tried to haunt …
An heirloom piano takes on immense significance for one family in 1936 Pittsburgh in August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.” Generational ties also permeate the film adaptation, in which Malcolm Washington follows in his father Denzel Washington’s footsteps in helping to bring the entirety of The Pittsburgh Cycle — a series of 10 plays — to the screen. In fact, this …
Spoiled as we’ve been with superb revivals of August Wilson plays, it’s almost confusing to encounter a high-profile Broadway production that doesn’t quite live up to expectations. “The Piano Lesson,” which opened Thursday at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, seemed on paper to be one of the can’t-miss offerings of the fall season. Samuel L. Jackson leads a top-notch cast in …
