Legacy, identity, cultural heritage, and all of the tragedies, pain, and family strife within it are some of the themes woven together to create a tapestry of the Black experience in August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, “The Piano Lesson.”
Director Gregg T. Daniel is staging “The Piano Lesson” at A Noise Within (ANW) located at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena. Performances began on October 19th and will continue through November 10th.
Daniel has found a willing partner with ANW which is committed to staging all 10 of Wilson’s “American Century Cycle” plays. A significant alliance, Daniel has secured an opportunity for himself and Black actors to realize a dream of working on Wilson’s literary masterpiece.
“I have directed six of the ten in the cycle; however, with ANW, which is committed to doing all ten plays in the “American Century Cycle,” this is our fifth,” said Daniel who has directed “Gem of the Ocean,” “Fences” (which won the NAACP Theater Award for “Best Director”), “Radio Golf,” “King Headley II,” and now this new installment.
Related Stories
Deborah Riley Draper Documents Black History and Identity Through Storytelling
Aarika Hughes Breaks Barriers With LMU Women’s Basketball
“We are doing one play per season. And I must say that the audience is growing more and more as we’re creating this hotbed of interest in Wilson because we’re bringing one play every season,” added Daniel.
Daniel said that interest in Wilson remains strong because he is a “master playwright” who deals with universal themes of the human condition such as love, family, and reconciling a painful past.
Boy Willie wants to sell the family’s antique piano, but his sister wants to hold on to it. (Craig Schwartz)The theatre had requested the play years ago, but Wilson’s estate, managed by Wilson’s widow, Constanza Romero, said it wasn’t available since other productions were running such as Denzel Washington’s Netflix production
Mrs. Wilson came to “King Hedley II” (ANW last play by Wilson) and loved it! She was quite enthusiastic about it,” said Daniel. “So hopefully that anoints us in some way and blesses us to continue the cycle,” he added.
“The Piano Lesson” is the fourth of Wilson’s extraordinary 10 play “American Century Cycle” and the second to win a Pulitzer Prize. Set in 1936, Boy Willie wants to sell the family’s antique piano which is covered with carvings detailing the family’s rise from slavery.
But his sister wants to hold on to it. Boy Willie tries to persuade his stubborn sister that the past is past, but she is more formidable and wants to hold on to the family heirloom.
ANW is holding a Black Out Night performance on Thursday, Oct. 24, for people who self-identify as Black. Tickets include a post-show reception; non-Black-identifying patrons are welcome to attend.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call (626) 356–3100 or visit www.anoisewithin.org
