The Piano Lesson‘s Star Instrument to Take Up Residency at The Smithsonian
The prop can be donated to The Smithsonian’s Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition after the Broadway revival completes its run.
Emilio Madrid
The titular prop on the coronary heart of the present Broadway revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson could have a second life after the stage. Following the completion of the play’s run on the Ethel Barrymore Theatre January 29, the piano will take up everlasting residency in its new residence, The Smithsonian’s Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition.
Set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1936, The Piano Lesson follows a brother and sister who’re embroiled in a battle over a household heirloom: a piano hand-carved by an enslaved ancestor. Designed by the present’s scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, the piano was constructed at BB props in Little Falls, New York.
READ: How The Piano Lesson Design Crew Created Their Instrument
Element of the carvings on The Piano Lesson piano
Michael Wiltbank
Kenneth Chenault, Chairperson for the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition Advisory Council, mentioned in an announcement, “The prospect of receiving this magnificent piece of theatre historical past into the gathering of the Smithsonian African American Museum is thrilling. It’s an necessary reminder of the importance of the Black voice in theatre and due recognition of the brilliance of August Wilson.”
Tony nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson, the primary girl to direct an August Wilson play on Broadway, helms the manufacturing which stars Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker Charles, John David Washington as Boy Willie, and Danielle Brooks as Berniece, joined at the moment within the solid by Michael Potts as Wining Boy, Ray Fisher as Lymon, Charles Browning as Avery, April Matthis as Grace, and Nadia Daniel and Jurnee Swan as Maretha at alternating performances. Persevering with as understudies are Peter Jay Fernandez, Sharina Martin, Warner Miller, Doron JePaul Mitchell, and Kim Sullivan.
READ: Meet the Understudies Who Maintain The Piano Lesson Taking part in
The inventive staff additionally consists of Tony-winning music director Jason Michael Webb, who composed new music for the revival, Tony-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, Tony-nominated costume designer Toni-Leslie James, Tony-nominated lighting designer Japhy Weideman, Tony-winning sound designer Scott Lehrer, Drama Desk-nominated designer Cookie Jordan, Tony-winning projection designer Jeff Comfortable, and choreographer Otis Sallid. Casting is by Calleri, Jensen, Davis, and normal administration is by Foresight Theatrical.
A element of The Piano Lesson piano
Michael Wiltbank
Wilson’s play initially made its world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987 (with Samuel L. Jackson starring as Boy Willie). In 1990, the play was staged at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, and subsequently transferred to Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama acquired Tony nominations for Finest Play, Finest Path of a Play, Finest Featured Actor in a Play, Finest Actor in a Play, and Finest Featured Actress in a Play.
Go to PianoLessonPlay.com.
