Pulitzer Prize Winner THE PIANO LESSON At Andrews Living Arts

(August Wilson Is Pictured)

THE PIANO LESSON, was August Wilson's second Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Directed by Robert D. Nation, THE PIANO LESSON will be presented at Andrews Living Arts, 23 NW 5^TH St. Fort Lauderdale, 33301,  Feb. 17 & 18 at 8:00 PM  and Feb. 19 at 3 PM. This production will feature some of the finest actors in the South Florida area. 

At the heart of the play stands the ornately carved upright piano which, as the Charles family's prized, hard-won possession, has been gathering dust in the parlor of Berniece  Charles's  (PAM STIGGER) Pittsburgh home, where she lives with her Uncle Doaker (Larry Robinson) and tries to keep  the family heritage alive by giving piano lessons to her young daughter, Mareatha (KAIYA BALLARD).  Berniece's exuberant brother, Boy Willie, (CURTIS BALLARD)  bursts into her life with his dream of buying the same Mississippi land that his family had worked as slaves. With the help of friend, Lymon, ( Eric Potter) he plans to move and sell the family's  antique piano for the hard cash he needs to stake his future.  But Berniece, with the support of friend Reverand Avery (KEN STIGGER) and her Uncle Wining Boy,( COURTNEY POYSER) who is also holding on to the past, refuses to sell, clinging to the piano as a reminder of the history that is their family legacy. Although Boy Willie is distracted by a woman he met in a bar, Grace, (RYSA EDWARDS) he is determined that nothing and no one can stop him from selling that piano.  

Also featuring an authentic, 100 year old, "player piano" shipped from New York City, this production at ALA Studio captures the essence of the African-American family in the 1930's, and reminds us that African-Americans are often deprived both of the symbols of their past and of opportunity in the present.  It is the "real piano lesson" as August Wilson intended. 

Tickets are: $24.95 adults; $19.95 seniors; $15.95 students. Visit www.andrewslivingarts.com  to purchase tickets in advance and click Brown Paper Tickets.  Take $5 off the price (if purchased by Feb. 8)  Seating is limited. Call 800-838-3006 for reservations. 

"Small but daring, Fort Lauderdale's intimate ALA Studio, takes on the challenges of August Wilson's THE PIANO LESSON. Don't miss it."                     – KRISTI KRUEGER, LOCAL 10, WPLG 

"Among the most compelling, eloquent dramas  August Wilson has ever written." – USA TODAY  

"Heartstopping…Mr. Wilson has the gift for making the audience feel that it, too, has pulled up a chair to the table of history to partake intimately of an epic feast."  - Frank Rich, N.Y. TIMES 

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