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August Wilson's The Piano Lesson

  • August Wilson
  • Full Length Play, Drama, 1930s
  • 5M, 3F
  • ISBN: 9780573704741

"Like other Wilson plays, it seems to sing even when it is talking."

The New York Times

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 1930s
  • Target Audience: Adult
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Alcohol, Mild Adult Themes, Strong Language

  • Performance Group:
  • Large Stage, Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, College Theatre / Student

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1990)
    Winner! Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play (1990)
    Nominee! Tony Award for Best Play (1990)
    Nominee! Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play (2013)
    Nominee! Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play (2013)
    August Wilson is the recipient of the 1986 Whiting Award for Drama
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 that he anticipated.
REVIEWS:

"Like other Wilson plays, it seems to sing even when it is talking."

 The New York Times

"A lovely tragi-comedy [...] Haunting as well as haunted."

 New York Newsday

"Wonderful [...] A play of magnificent confrontations."

 New York Post

Premiere Production: The Piano Lesson premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in November 1987, under the direction of Lloyd Richards.

Characters

  • Casting: 5M, 3F
  • Casting Attributes: Role(s) for Black Actor(s), Ensemble cast, Roles for Children

  • AVERY
    WINNING BOY
    LYMON
    MARETHA
    GRACE
    BERNIECE
    DOAKER

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    August Wilson's The Piano Lesson Script This is optional. Order Now

    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 that he anticipated.

    		$24.95

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