Photo Flash: Performace Network's THE PIANO LESSON

By: Mar. 09, 2011
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From the theatre that brought audiences the stunning 2009 production of August Wilson's "Fences," comes another Pulitzer Prize-winning play by the esteemed 20th century playwright. "The Piano Lesson" will run March 3 - April 3, 2011.

Set in Pittsburgh in 1936 in the home of an African American family from Mississippi, the story centers around a piano that was once traded for two of their ancestors. Boy Willie wants to sell the piano and make a new future, while Berniece clings tightly to the memories it engenders. In this American masterpiece, Wilson gives us a haunting and mythic tale of a family at war with the past.

August Wilson, who's been heralded as the "greatest African American playwright the nation has produced" by the Washington Post and " theater's poet of black America" by the New York Times, is a two time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the second of which was awarded for "The Piano Lesson." Wilson has also received countless other accolades including the Tony Award for Best Play, two Drama Desk Awards and seven New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Produced on Broadway in 1990, "The Piano Lesson" ranks as one of his most decorated plays.

Said Artistic Director, David Wolber "When we produced 'Fences' two season ago, we received an overwhelming response from our patrons asking to see more of August Wilson's work, which didn't surprise us in the least bit. He's certainly one of the best and most honored playwrights of the 20th century, and he's got an entire canon of plays to choose from. We've got some of the same artistic team members that we had with 'Fences,' so I think that we're going to again be able to make magic on stage."

Weekly performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm, with a 3pm matinee on Saturday March 19th and April 2nd.

Tickets can be ordered at the Performance Network Box Office at 734-663-0681 , online at
www.performancenetwork.org or by coming to the Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday-Saturday 11-6 or one hour before a performance. Tickets are priced at $22 - $41, with discounts available for seniors, members, students and groups. There is a pay-what-you-can performance on March 3 (suggested donation of $10).

"The Piano Lesson" is directed by Tim Rhoze, and features scenic and costume design by Monika Essen, lights and sound by Andrew Hungerford, and properties by Charles Sutherland.

This production is generously sponsored by Linda Sprankle and Bob & Marina Whitman.

Founded in 1981, Performance Network Theatre has grown from a fledgling company to Ann Arbor's only resident, professional theatre. The Network reaches 40,000 theatre patrons and children each year through the year-round Professional Series and The Children's Theatre Network. Performance Network also presents the Fireside Festival of New Works and a series of classes on theatre-related topics. The Network provides uncompromising artistic leadership in the region and produces works that engage, challenge and inspire audiences and artists.

Photo Credit: Jude Walton

Photo Flash: Performace Network's THE PIANO LESSON

Photo Flash: Performace Network's THE PIANO LESSON
Brian Marable, Lisa Lauren Smith, James Cowans

Photo Flash: Performace Network's THE PIANO LESSON
Brian Marable, Lynch Travis, Sean Rodriguez, James Cowans

Photo Flash: Performace Network's THE PIANO LESSON
Lisa Lauren Smith, Brian Marable

Photo Flash: Performace Network's THE PIANO LESSON
Brian Marable

Photo Flash: Performace Network's THE PIANO LESSON



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