[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of A Noise Within’s production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson directed by Gregg T. Daniel for A Noise Within.
Another beautiful play at A Noise Within. August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson is a truly astonishing piece of art. The story set in the 1930s in Pittsburgh revolves around one family and their piano carved with the faces of their African ancestors and enslaved grandparents who took it from the family of their “owners” years after it had been carved and wept upon.
The play explores the reasons why we hold on to things that remind us of painful pasts and dark times and the possibility that letting them go can release us and, perhaps, even help to heal us. Two siblings, Boy Willie and his sister Berniece, who is the true center of the family, battle over his need to sell the piano to buy land and her need to preserve her ancestors’ only permanent mark on the world.
Of course, all these characters are caught up in their own agendas and will never be swayed, and there is a ghost in Bernice’s house determined to remind them both that nothing is permanent and everyone is haunted. There are other characters in this play that elevate this story to dizzying heights. Decent, funny, beautiful people who share themselves willingly while Bernice and Boy Willie can see only each other and their struggles. Battles are lost, hearts changed and tenderness shown under the strangest of circumstances. Reminding us that, given the chance, anyone can surprise us, help us, and love us, even ourselves.
What incredible performances by these inventive, inspired actors. Such swagger, such grace, such a gorgeous sense of place and time and connection from each and every one of them. Truly, this play has a magical cast and they fit together so perfectly to tell this story, to give us this lesson about a piano. They do so with passion and poise and a deep sense of knowing that can only be described as transcendental.
August Wilson was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for this sublime play and it’s easy to understand why, especially when it is performed by these gifted actors who are of course supported by a loving and enthusiastic director and playing in a space as wonderful as A Noise Within’s theatre.
It’s a gift to see work like this. An honor to be able to watch August Wilson’s work on a stage such as this with actors as fine as any anywhere and with an audience riveted by the nuance of a family’s legacy.
A Noise Within is a Los Angles treasure…please go and see this marvelous and iconically American play.
Tickets:
When:
October 19-November 10
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. 2 p.m. matinees every Saturday and Sunday (no matinee on Saturday, Oct. 19; dark Thursday, Oct. 31).
Where:
A Noise Within, 3352 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena
The Cast
Starring LeShay Tomlinson Boyce, Jernard Burks, Kai A. Ealy, Madison Keffer, Alex Morris, Nija Okoro, Gerald C. Rivers, Evan Lewis Smith
The Team
Presented by A Noise Within, Geoff Elliot and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, producing artistic directors
The creative team for The Piano Lesson includes composer and music director Maritri Garrett; choreographer Joyce Guy; scenic designer Tesshi Nakagawa; lighting designer Brandon Baruch; sound designer Jeff Gardner; costume designer Alethia Moore-Del Monaco; wig and makeup designer Shelia Dorn; properties designer Stephen Taylor; dialect coach Andrea Odinov; and dramaturg Dr. Miranda Johnson–Haddad. The production stage manager is Lanae Wilks, with Bryan Tiglio assisting.