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About the Play
August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the fourth in The Pittsburgh Cycle.
Story:
It is 1936, and Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh from the South in a battered truck loaded with watermelons to sell. He has an opportunity to buy some land down home, but he has to come up with the money right quick. He wants to sell an old piano that has been in his family for generations, but he shares ownership with his sister and it sits in her living room. She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the family’s rise from slavery. Boy Willie tries to persuade his stubborn sister that the past is past, but she is more formidable than he anticipated.
Broadway Premiere
- Theatre
- Walter Kerr Theatre
- Opening Night
- Apr 16, 1990
- Total Performances
- 328
- Original Cast
- Charles S. Dutton, Rocky Carroll, Apryl R. Foster, Carl Gordon, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Tommy Hollis, S. Epatha Merkerson, Lou Myers
- Director
- Lloyd Richards
- Producer
- Lloyd Richards, Yale Repertory Theatre, Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre, Gordon Davidson and Jujamcyn Theaters
- Scenic Design
- E. David Cosier, Jr.
- Costume Design
- Constanza Romero
- Lighting Design
- Christopher Akerlind
- Sound Design
- G. Thomas Clark
2022 Broadway Revival
- Theatre
- St. James Theatre
- Opening Night
- September 19, 2022
- Total Performances
- 116
- Original Cast
- Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, John David Washington, Trai Byers, Ray Fisher, April Matthis, Michael Potts, Nadia Daniel, Jurnee Elizabeth Swan, Shirine Babb, Charles Browning, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sharina Martin, Warner Miller, Doron JePaul Mitchell, Kim Sullivan
- Director
- LaTanya Richardson Jackson
- Music & Music Director
- Jason Michael Webb
- Producer
- Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman, Tom Kirdahy, Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker
- Scenic Design
- Beowolf Boritt
- Costume Design
- Toni-Leslie James
- Lighting Design
- Japhy Weideman
- Sound Design
- Scott Lehrer
- Wig Design
- Cookie Jordan
- Projection Design
- Jeff Sugg
1995 Film Version
- Movie Name
- The Piano Lesson
- Type
- Made for TV Movie
- Director
- Lloyd Richards
- Screenplay
- August Wilson
- Starring
- Charles S. Dutton, Alfre Woodard, Carl Gordon
Scripts, Videos, Merchandise and More
2023 Tony Awards
Best Revival of a Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Samuel L. Jackson
2023 Drama Desk Award Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Play
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play - Danielle Brooks
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play - Ray Fisher
Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play
Outstanding Wig and Hair
2023 Drama League Award Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Play
Distinguished Performance Award - Danielle Brooks
Distinguished Performance Award - John David Washington
2023 Outer Critics Cirlce Award Nominations
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play - Danielle Brooks
Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play - Michael Potts
2023 Theatre World Awards
Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance - John David Washington
2013 Drama League Award Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play
Distinguished Performance Award - Brandon J. Dirden
Distinguished Performance Award - Roslyn Ruff
2013 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
2013 Drama Desk Award Nominations
Outstanding Revival of a Play
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play - Chuck Cooper
Outstanding Director of a Play
2013 Theatre World Award Nominations
Best Debut Performance - Brandon J. Dirden
1990 Pulitzer Prize Nominations
Pulitzer Prize for Drama
1990 Tony Award Nominations
Best Play
1990 Drama Desk Award Nominations
Outstanding Play
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