The Piano Lesson Tickets

The Piano Lesson is an outstanding play by August Wilson, which explores several themes of African-American culture such as family, heritage, racial tension, and the legacy of slavery. The play has been revived several times with multiple productions exploring the same concept. Today, we will discuss The Piano Lesson in relation to other Broadway Shows.

The Piano Lesson was first staged on Broadway in 1990, premiering at the Walter Kerr Theatre. It won Pulitzer Prize for drama that year. The play went on to become a critical and commercial success for its poignant representation of African-American history. The story is set in Pittsburgh and focuses on the Charles family and their struggle to keep hold of a valuable family heirloom - an intricately carved piano. The piano was among the Charles' family possessions that had been handed down from generation to generation.

The play encapsulates themes regarding the past that weigh heavily on the present, providing insight into the perpetuation of generational trauma faced by the African-American community. Although August Wilson's work can often be hard-hitting and cruelling towards America's historic injustices, his shows resonate with the audience through their ability to balance this heavy theme with accessible humor and sensational music.



Introducing Wilson’s work on the Broadway stage enabled his plays to have a public platform, while also increasing representation and breaking through theatrical barriers. However, this would not have been possible without Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking Hamilton. Hamilton was a modern musical about American history with an all racially diverse cast, just like August Wilson’s plays. Still creating waves almost six years after its premiere, Hamilton paved the way for many stories to become told; more importantly, it demonstrated how big stories could translate eloquently onto a stage much like Wilson's shows.

A different production following essential themes of The Piano Lesson was Fences (1987), written by Wilson himself. Aided by its award-winning movie adaptation in 2016, Fences discusses the experiences of a blues musician- turned garbage collector and former baseball player, Troy Maxson. The play highlights the trials of the working-class African-American man who has been kept from achieving his dreams while raising his son to have a better life.

Dreamgirls (1981) premiered in Broadway in 1981, became a hit after its national tour and Tony nomination. Dreamgirls tells the story of The Dreams - an all-female African-American singing group taking over the entertainment world at the height of Motown. Set primarily throughout the 1960s and 1970s in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, Dreamgirls is filled with eye-catching costumes, dazzling dance numbers, and excellent singing.

In conclusion, The Piano Lesson stands out as one of August Wilson’s most recognized works, diving deeper into poignant cultural themes. Although appreciated through its significance and created opportunities for other Broadway shows to feature Black characters on stage and become successful regardless of their appearance or message, it consistently reminded audiences of a part of American history in need of consideration.