About performance
A captivating story about legacy, identity, and cultural heritage unfolds in 1930s Pittsburgh, where a brother and sister are locked in a bitter dispute. At the center of their debate is a precious family heirloom—a piano with the faces of their ancestors carved into it. While one sees an important history worth preserving, the other sees the key to unlocking a brighter future. In Wilson’s enthralling prose, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play weaves together elements of history and spirituality, creating a haunting story about reckoning with a complicated past.
Featuring the continued partnership of Director Gregg T. Daniel and A Noise Within on Wilson’s American Century Cycle.
THE PIANO LESSON is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
“BRACINGLY RELEVANT... might well be the funniest production on LA stages right now.”
-Don Shirley, Angeles Stage
“A MUST-SEE production that may make you think differently about both theatre and humanity—and maybe even about yourself.”
-Anita W. Harris, LA Theatrix
“SMASHING,... wise and funny… I left inspired from witnessing true literature delivered by thespians who refuse to be thwarted by Wilder’s complex, crazy, allegorical genius… sweetly subversive entertainment, an irresistible charmer not afraid to ask hard questions or offer intriguing solutions.”
-Tony Frankel, Stage and Cinema
“WOW!... It’s hard to imagine a finer revival... few could have imagined how relevant its themes would remain today.”
-Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA
“PHENOMENAL... a masterpiece of satire and magical realism… the glue that holds it all together is the utter brilliance of the words and the fortitude and extraordinary talent of the company and crew of A Noise Within.”
-Samantha Simmond-Ronceros, NoHoArtsDistrict.com
“UNRULY, AMBITIOUS AND HILARIOUS… It is a pleasure to see this classic play performed again with such skill.”
-Elaine Mura, Splash Magazines
GALLERY
The Piano Lesson Production Photos
Special Thanks
Mark Holden at The Invisible Studios for Piano Recordings
Header photo of Kai A. Ealy and Nija Okoro. Photo by Daniel Reichert.
Production photos by Craig Schwartz.
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors
Dick & Sally Roberts
Producing Sponsors
Sheila & Alan Lamson
Sponsors
William & Priscilla Kennedy
Student Matinee Sponsors
Pat Hoppe
Nancy & Keith Price
Special Performances
Pay What You Choose
Pay What You Choose tickets will be available to purchase online for as low as $10 starting at 12 pm on the Monday before the performance with the choice to pay $10 or $20 (excluding handling fee). Tickets can also be purchased at the Box Office after 2 pm day of the performance. Suggested price of $10.
October 16, 2024
October 17, 2024
Opening Night
Join us for a free post-show cast party after the 7:30 pm performance.
October 19, 2024
INsiders Discussion
Join us at 12:30 pm prior to the October 20 matinee for a FREE INsiders Discussion!
October 20, 2024
Black Out Night
Black Out Night is a purposeful, exciting creation of an environment in which an audience, self-identifying as Black, can come together and experience a performance in community. A reception will follow the performance, providing an opportunity for the audience to discuss their experience and to socialize! Non-Black-identifying patrons have the option to attend, or to select a different performance.
October 24, 2024
Post-Show Conversations
After select Friday 7:30 pm and Sunday 2 pm performances, join us after the show for a conversation with the actors.
Friday, October 25, 2024
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Friday, November 1, 2024
Friday, November 8, 2024
GalaPro Closed Captioning
Join us for select performances, where we’re excited to offer GalaPro closed captioning, courtesy of the Perenchio Foundation, enhancing accessibility for all our patrons.
Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 pm
Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 9 at 2 pm
Saturday, November 9 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 10 at 2 pm
artists + cast
The Artists
Author: August Wilson
Director: Gregg T. Daniel§
Assistant Director: Marques Green
Stage Manager: Lanae Wilks*
Assistant Stage Manager: Bryan Tiglio
Scenic Designer: Tesshi Nakagawa
Lighting Designer: Brandon Baruch
Costume Designer: Alethia Moore-Del Monaco
Sound Designer: Jeff Gardner†
Assistant Sound Designer: Malick Ceesay
Choreographer: Joyce Guy
Music Director / Composer: Maritri Garrett
Wigs / Makeup Designer: Shelia Dorn
Properties Designer: Stephen Taylor
Intimacy Coordinator: Sasha Smith
Dialect Coach: Andrea Odinov
Fight Choreographer: Kenneth R. Merckx, Jr.
Dramaturg: Dr. Miranda Johnson-Haddad
The Cast
Doaker: Alex Morris*
Boy Willie: Kai A. Ealy*
Berniece: Nija Okoro*
Wining Boy: Gerald C. Rivers*
Lymon: Evan Lewis Smith*
Avery: Jernard Burks*
Grace: LeShay Tomlinson Boyce*
Maretha: Madison Keffer
Understudy Doaker: Bernard K. Addison*
Understudy Boy Willie: Ephraim Williams*
Understudy Berniece: Kalyn Rivers*
Understudy Wining Boy: Levy Lee Simon*
Understudy Lymon: Brent Charles*
Understudy Avery: Asim Rashad
Understudy Grace: ReSheda D. Terry
Understudy Maretha: Kwayi Grimstad Ndjamen
§ The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
† Designer is represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829 of the IATSE
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
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