CBS Sunday Morning's Kelefa Sanneh sat down with John David Washington to talk about making his Broadway debut in The Piano Lesson, from his acting past onscreen to growing up in an artistic family as the son of Denzel and Pauletta Washington—and closely with his co-star Samuel L. Jackson and director LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The segment, which you can view above, aired October 9.
In speaking about working with the Jacksons, which began its 17-week engagement September 19 and will open October 13 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Washington said, "The attention is off me. So, you sit back, and you shut up and learn something."
Washington plays Boy Willie, the role his co-star Samuel L. Jackson played in The Piano Lesson's world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre. "I'm on stage with Sam Jackson, and I'm delivering some lines knowing he delivered these lines in 1987. I'm like, 'I can't believe this has happened.'" Jackson recently spoke about starring in the Broadway revival and what it it means to see Washington take on the role in an interview with Stephen Colbert.
The two are joined in leading the cast by Danielle Brooks as Berniece under the direction of Tony nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson.
Set in Pittsburgh's Hill District in 1936, The Piano Lesson follows a brother and sister who are embroiled in a battle over a family heirloom piano carved with the faces of their ancestors. It is the fourth play in Wilson's Century Cycle, which explores the Black experience in every decade of the 20th century; other works in the cycle include Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and Jitney, among others.
The cast is rounded out by Trai Byers as Avery, Ray Fisher as Lymon, April Matthis as Grace, Michael Potts as Wining Boy, and Nadia Daniel and Jurnee Swan alternating in the role of Maretha. Understudies are Shirine Babb, Charles Browning, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sharina Martin, Warner Miller, Doron JePaul Mitchell, and Kim Sullivan.
The creative team also includes Tony-winning music director Jason Michael Webb, who composed new music for the revival, Tony-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, Tony-nominated costume designer Toni-Leslie James, Tony-nominated lighting designer Japhy Weideman, Tony-winning sound designer Scott Lehrer, Drama Desk-nominated designer Cookie Jordan, Tony-winning projection designer Jeff Snug, and choreographer Otis Sallid. Casting is by Calleri, Jensen, Davis, and general management is by Foresight Theatrical.
Visit PianoLessonPlay.com.
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