Alliance for the Arts Presents August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, 

Directed by Sonya McCarter

FORT MYERS, FL (April 10, 2023)– Alliance for the Arts is proud to present the previously scheduled performance of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. This long-awaited performance, postponed from October due to Hurricane Ian, is sure to captivate audiences. 

This complex play filled with subplots conveys tremendous significance as it examines slavery and the difficulty of Black Americans seeking economic and social equality. The production stars local actors Elvis Motley, Derek Lively, Julian Foster, Renee Freeman, Moses Jackson, Cicero McCarter, Delisa Smith and Stephanie Hooks. 

The Piano Lesson, set in 1936 Pittsburgh, focuses on the conflicting wills of brother and sister, Boy Willie and Berniece, regarding their family’s most important heirloom, a piano.

August Wilson is most known for his Century Cycle (also called The Pittsburgh Cycle), a collection of ten plays that span across decades to document African American experiences in the 20th century. The plays chronicle the effect of social and historical situations of each decade on individual characters, and the Alliance is committed to presenting all ten. The Piano Lesson is the fifth installment of the collection, with Radio Golf scheduled for October 2023. 

This production is generously sponsored by Noreen Raney.

Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members and available at ArtInLee.org or by calling the box office at 239-939-2787. Performances are April 20-22 and 27-29 at 7:30pm and April 30 at 2pm.