Open Stage of Harrisburg Presents THE PIANO LESSON

Open Stage of Harrisburg continues the 25th Anniversary Seaon with August Wilson's beloved classic THE PIANO LESSON, directed by Executive Artistic Director Don Alsedek. The fourth play in Wilson's Century Cycle will run at Open Stage of Harrisburg, 223 Walnut St., Feb 4 - 26, 2011.

Master playwright August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play is the 1930s entry in his monumental 20th Century play cycle. A rich family history with origins in slavery is carved into the wood of the piano that could be Boy Willie's ticket to self-sufficiency or Berniece's legacy to her daughter. THE PIANO LESSON is the story of two siblings' struggle to come to terms with their inheritance and the ghosts of their dead.

"It is always an honor to work on an August Wilson play," says Alsedek. "I'm truly thrilled to bring this African-American classic to Open Stage."

THE PIANO LESSON garnered many awards including Pulitzer Prizes and a New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Mr. Wilson received a 1995 Emmy Award nomination for his screenplay adaptation of THE PIANO LESSON.

August Wilson (Playwright, 1945- 2005) authored GEM OF THE OCEAN, JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM, THE PIANO LESSON, SEVEN GUITARS, FENCES, TWO TRAINS RUNNING, JITNEY, KING HEDLEY II, and RADIO GOLF. These works explore the heritage and experience of African-Americans, decade-by-decade, over the course of the twentieth century. Wilson's plays have been produced at regional theaters across the country and all over the world, as well as on Broadway.

THE PIANO LESSON plays February 4 - 26 in the intimate Angino Family Theatre at Open Stage of Harrisburg, 223 Walnut Street, located on the street level of the Walnut Street Parking Garage in downtown Harrisburg. Join Open Stage for 3rd in the Burg on February 18!

Admission to THE PIANO LESSON is $27 Regular and $23 for Students with ID. Purchase Advance Tickets ONLINE 24/7 at www.openstagehbg.com, by CALLING 717-232-1505 or WALK-UP Monday-Friday 12:30 to 3:00 pm to our box office, located in the Open Stage lobby.

The theatre lobby opens one hour prior to performance. This season is funded, in part, by the Cultural Enrichment Fund, the capital region's united arts fund. Open Stage of Harrisburg is a Constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for American theatre.