August Wilson’s Century Cycle Continues as Chattanooga Theatre Centre Presents “The Piano Lesson” June 9-25

Continuing the prolific August Wilson’s Century Cycle at Chattanooga Theatre Centre is The Piano Lesson, a dynamic, gripping tale of a family haunted by their past and wrestling with their future, opening June 9^th and running through June 25^th in the Circle Theatre.

The Piano Lesson tells the story of The Charles Family, living in 1930’s Pittsburgh. When Bernice’s brother, Boy Willie, comes back into town expecting to sell their family’s heirloom piano for the chance to purchase some land and jumpstart his financial future, she reminds him of the literal blood, sweat, and tears that went into the piano’s detailed carvings and why it can never be sold. Along with the siblings’ family and friends, the whole house transforms into a crucible for conflict over what should be done with the piano.

The Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s production of The Piano Lesson is the fourth installment of its pledge to produce Wilson’s entire canon of 10 plays portraying the African American experience through the 20^th century, known as the American Century Cycle. This is the second of CTC’s August Wilson productions with guest director Alicia Haymer leading the cast of talented performers.