The Vokes Players of Wayland present The Piano Lesson by August Wilson, directed by Michelle Aguillon. Performances will be held at Beatrice Herford’s Vokes Theatre, 97 Boston Post Road (Route 20) in Wayland, from July 22 through August 6:
- Friday, July 22 8pm
- Saturday, July 23 2pm & 8pm
- Thursday, July 28 & Friday, July 29 8pm
- Saturday, July 30 2pm & 8pm
- Thursday, August 4 & Friday, August 5 8pm
- Saturday, August 6 2pm & 8pm
For tickets and information call 508-358-4034, or order online via our website www.vokesplayers.org. Ticket prices are:
- $20.00 for Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees
- $24.00 for Friday & Saturday evenings
Tony and Pulitzer winner August Wilson, one of the top dramatists of the 20th century, wrote The Piano Lesson as part of his 10-play “Century Cycle” (which also includes Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) that tells of the African-American experience through the decades. This Pulitzer-winning play, although modest in its storytelling, displays Wilson’s uncanny ability to capture a snapshot of humanity, in a supernatural-laced story set in 1936 Pittsburgh. Boy Willie, wanting to be his own boss and to own his own land, wants to sell a piano that resides in his sister’s home. This piano has huge family and cultural significance, and his sister Berniece refuses to part with it. Their fight culminates in a stand-off in which the family and the community gather to give witness, as the siblings bear the weight of history and eventually come to honor it.
The cast for the show includes: Jerry Halfhide, Trevor Gerard Frederick, Claude Del, Lisa Miller-Gillespie, Valentina Joseph, Andrew Calvagno, Paul Benford Bruce & Chinedu Ibiam.
COVID 19 Health & Safety: For everyone’s safety and peace of mind, at present, the Vokes Players require the wearing of masks at all times while in the building. Requirements may be modified as conditions and best practices evolve.
The historic Beatrice Herford’s Vokes Theatre in Wayland is one of the truly unique cultural and historical resources in Metrowest. The Vokes Players is a non-profit theatrical organization. The Piano Lesson is the fourth production of our 2021-22 season. The theatre is wheelchair accessible. For more information about the Vokes Players, visit our website – www.vokesplayers.org.
August Wilson is one of the all-time greats, and to see this play about life and a small theater and such a great way was truly delightful. The actors did a wonderful job with each character. I really enjoyed this. Hats off to the actors and to the producer who had the guts to do August Wilson.