The Piano Lesson (1994) The Piano Lesson

The Piano Lesson ★★★ 1994 (PG) The prized heirloom of the Charles family is an 80-year-old, ornately carved upright piano, jealously guarded by widowed Berniece (Woodard), and housed in the Pittsburgh home of Uncle Doaker (Gordon). When Berniece's brother Willie Boy (Dutton) visits from Mississippi, it's to persuade her to sell the piano in order to buy some land that their grandfather had worked as a slave. But the past, carved into the piano's panels, has a strong hold—one that Berniece refuses to give up. Set in 1936. Adaptation by Wilson of his 1990 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. 99m/C VHS. Alfre Woodard, Charles S. Dutton, Courtney B. Vance, Carl Gordon, Tommy Hollis, Zelda Harris, Lou Myers, Rosalyn Coleman, Tommy La Fitte; Director: Lloyd Richards; Writer: August Wilson; Cameo: Stephen James Taylor, Dwight Andrews. TV

At-a-glance
Year Released 1994
Rating PG
Length (in minutes) 99
Display Color
Formats VHS
National Film Registry
Credits
Role Name
Actor Courtney B. Vance
Actor Rosalyn Coleman
Actor Charles S. Dutton
Actor Lou Myers
Actor Tommy La Fitte
Actor Alfre Woodard
Actor Zelda Harris
Actor Carl Gordon
Actor Tommy Hollis
Cameo Dwight Andrews
Cameo Stephen James Taylor
Director Lloyd Richards
Writer August Wilson