The Piano Lesson's John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler Reveal August Wilson’s Secret Sauce

After her stunning, heartbreaking performance as Mamie Till in the critically-acclaimed Till, Danielle Deadwyler is soon to be a household name. John David Washington wowed audiences in Christopher Nolan’s cinematic palindrome Tenet before top-billing Spike Lee’s fabulous BlacKkKlansman. Now, both performers collaborate under director Malcolm Washington (John David’s brother in his magnificent debut) on The Piano Lesson, based on renowned author August Wilson’s Drama Desk award-winning play.

The Piano Lesson is set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression. Following the lives of the Charles family, their household, and their family piano– an heirloom decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor. Washington plays Willie Boy, intent on building a better life for the future family. Deadwyler plays his sister Berniece, resolved to preserve their family’s history, even at a cost. The film also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, and Michael Potts.

Deadwyler and Washington were gracious enough to sit down with Collider’s own Steve Weintraub to talk about The Piano Lesson. Together they discussed how they transformed a well-known stage play into a visual, cinematic experience. As well as the musicality and universal language of legendary playwright August Wilson, and coming in on off-days just to watch Erykah Badu on set.

#thepianolesson #johndavidwashington #danielledeadwyler

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