The Piano Lesson by August Wilson explores the conflict within a family to sell their long-held piano. The inciting incident occurs when Boy Willie tells his sister Bernice that he plans on selling the piano. Berniece is completely opposed to this prospect. The piano has a history through their family and she finds that it is a tradition that she must keep alive. The crises occurs when Sutter’s ghost prevents Lymon and Boy Willie from being able to move the piano. Boy Willie finds this frustrating and infuriating, as he is mocked by his desire to earn profit out of the piano. After each moment of his frustration, Wilson utilizes comic relief to lighten the atmosphere. For example, as Boy Willie argues with Berniece, a drunk Whining Boy enters
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Obtaining insight from numerous credible sources can help one to come to a rational conclusion on their opinion of the play. Critics from the Huffington Post, Chicago Critic, Backstage, and Variety have supplied their opinions on the play The Piano Lesson by August Wilson.
Wilborn Hampton, a theater critic for The Huffington Post, writes a positive review of the play. Hampton states, “The Piano Lesson is one of the richest in [Wilson’s] cycle, both in language and lore. It is also the play in which he most directly deals with the issue of slavery and the burden it casts on black Americans striving for social and economic equality” (Hampton), which he feels is brilliantly executed. Hampton believes the play was such a success due to the well-picked cast. He specifically raves about Brandon J. Dirden, who plays Boy Willie. According to Hampton, Dirden delivers an exceptional performance, dancing on the stage like a “live wire” (Hampton), which shows his determination to sell the piano. He also compliments the actress who plays Berniece, Roslyn Ruff, whose “scene at the end, in which she caresses the faces carved on the piano, saying ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,’ is like a requiem” (Hampton). Based on Hampton’s praise of the play, one might say that The Piano Lesson is a work of art. Tom Williams from the Chicago Critic also praises Wilson’s
Obtaining insight from numerous credible sources can help one to come to a rational conclusion on their opinion of the play. Critics from the Huffington Post, Chicago Critic, Backstage, and Variety have supplied their opinions on the play The Piano Lesson by August Wilson.
Wilborn Hampton, a theater critic for The Huffington Post, writes a positive review of the play. Hampton states, “The Piano Lesson is one of the richest in [Wilson’s] cycle, both in language and lore. It is also the play in which he most directly deals with the issue of slavery and the burden it casts on black Americans striving for social and economic equality” (Hampton), which he feels is brilliantly executed. Hampton believes the play was such a success due to the well-picked cast. He specifically raves about Brandon J. Dirden, who plays Boy Willie. According to Hampton, Dirden delivers an exceptional performance, dancing on the stage like a “live wire” (Hampton), which shows his determination to sell the piano. He also compliments the actress who plays Berniece, Roslyn Ruff, whose “scene at the end, in which she caresses the faces carved on the piano, saying ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,’ is like a requiem” (Hampton). Based on Hampton’s praise of the play, one might say that The Piano Lesson is a work of art. Tom Williams from the Chicago Critic also praises Wilson’s