The Piano Lesson – McCarter Theatre Center

Back in December and January I worked with Tom Miller at McCarter Theatre Center on a few videos to promote McCarter’s production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. The Piano Lesson was directed by Jade King Carroll, and featured an African American family who moved up north to Pittsburgh during the Great Migration. Bernice (played by Miriam A. Hyman) brings the family piano with her, which has the family history dating back to the family’s enslavement and subsequent emancipation carved into it. Her brother, Boy Willie (played by Stephen Tyrone Williams) arrives with the idea of selling the piano to buy land down south so he can start a farm and make a life for himself. A sibling conflict ensues. The Piano Lesson was intense at times, but also provided a lot of laughs and some great music. It ran from January 8 – February 7.

This is the behind-the-scenes trailer which includes interviews with Jade King Carroll, Miriam A. Hyman, Cleavant Derricks, and Emily Mann:

The Piano Lesson – Behind-the-Scenes Trailer – McCarter Theatre Center from Dave Tavani on Vimeo.