By John Keenan
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Published Saturday
February 12, 2005
"The Piano Lesson," August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, gets a rousing production at the John Beasley Theater.
The work, part of Wilson's 10-play cycle, revolves around an ornately carved upright piano. Boy Willie (Kelcey Watson) has come up north to persuade his sister to sell it, hoping to use the proceeds to buy land. Bernice (TammyRa Jackson) refuses to do so.
The question of heritage, and what to make of it, looms large. The piano provides a concrete example.
Boy Willie hopes to turn it into land, establishing himself through the sacrifices of his grandfather and father. For Bernice, the piano is also a symbol of family sacrifice, but her reaction is to hold onto it, though she no longer uses it. Complicating things, and adding a tinge of mystery to the drama, is that the piano may be haunted - and the ghost may be a man Willie Boy has killed.
Directed by Tyrone Beasley, the show is well-paced, although long. Watson, as the emotional Boy Willie, is clearly the linchpin of the show, and he gives an excellent performance.
Jackson, also seen in the theater's "For Colored Girls," is a strong Bernice. The two work well together as Boy Willie's ambitions collide with his sister's family feelings about the piano. The audience is only gradually enlightened as to the significance of the piano, and of Bernice's grievances - justified or not - against Boy Willie.
Other cast members provide smooth support.
Andre McGraw is often laconically funny as Boy Willie's friend Lymon, who has traveled up north with him to sell watermelons and doesn't plan to go back south.
Charles Galloway and Ben Gray are alternately authoritative and humorous as the two uncles, Wining Boy and Doaker. They try to smooth things between Boy Willie and Bernice but aren't particularly fond of the piano.
D. Kevin Williams plays Avery, a preacher who hopes to marry Bernice, and young Paige Jones has a small part as Maretha, Bernice's daughter. Pacha Fountain rounds out the cast as Grace, a woman both Boy Willie and Lymon take a shine to.
Wilson's drama requires several characters, particularly Boy Willie, to carry off long, emotional speeches, and the cast is up to it. (On preview night, there were a few verbal stumbles.) By the time "The Piano Lesson" reaches its conclusion, the audience may be wrung out.
As usual, the John Beasley Theater has delivered. "The Piano Lesson" is a gripping theatrical experience.
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