Broadway's upcoming revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson has revealed its complete cast and creative team, to be led, as previously announced, by Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, and Danielle Brooks. The production, directed by Tony nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson, is set to begin at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre September 19 with an opening night to be announced.
Newly joining the creative team are Tony Award honoree Jason Michael Webb, who will compose new music for the revival; and projection designer Jeff Sugg. They join scenic designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Toni-Leslie James, lighting designer Japhy Weideman, sound designer Scott Lehrer, and wig designer Cookie Jordan. Casting is by Calleri, Jensen, Davis, and general management is by Foresight Theatrical.
Webb joins the team a Tony honoree for his work on 2019's Choir Boy. Currently represented on Broadway as the music director, orchestrator, and arranger of MJ The Musical, Webb also received Tony nominations for his 2020 score to The Rose Tattoo and his MJ orchestrations.
Jackson, Washington, and Brooks will be joined in the cast by Trai Byers, Ray Fisher, April Matthis, and Michael Potts. Newly added to the roster are Nadia Daniel and Jurnee Elizabeth Swan, who will alternate the role of Maretha. Rounding out the company as understudies will be Shirine Babb, Charles Browning, Peter Jay Fernandez, Sharina Martin, Warner Miller, Doron JePaul Mitchell, and Kim Sullivan.
The play is the fourth in Wilson's Century Cycle, which explores the Black experience in every decade of the 20th century with such works as Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and Jitney, among others. The Piano Lesson is set in Pittsburgh's Hill District in 1936, with a brother and sister embroiled in a battle over a family heirloom piano carved with the faces of their ancestors. The upcoming production will be its first Broadway revival.
The production is produced on Broadway by Brian Anthony Moreland, Sonia Friedman, Tom Kirdahy, Kandi Burrus and Todd Tucker, Hunter Arnold, Playing Field, Rupert Gavin, FBK/42nd Club, Mark Gordon Pictures, Alia Jones-Harvey, Marguerite Hoffman, Jay & Alix Jackman, Stephanie McClelland, James Nederlander, Marc & Carolyn Seriff, Syrinda Paige/Kevin Ryan, Jay & Cindy Gutterman/ Caiola Productions, Sal Al-Rashid/Jamie DeRoy, Erik A. King/FineWomen Productions, Van Kaplan/LuShawn Thompson, Jocelyn Moore/ Scott Delman, Thomas Swayne/ Cynthia J. Tong, Jean Doumanian/Fakston Productions, Brad Blume/ Cliff Hopkins, and Linda Rabin/ Dede Harris.
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