Keith Randolph Smith, left, and Joshua Echebiri in rehearsal for “The Piano Lesson,” a new production by the Two River Theater. TIM ZIEGLER
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – Keith Randolph Smith has performed in many of August Wilson’s plays, including the Broadway runs of “Jitney,” “Fences” and “King Hedley II.” So which is his favorite?
“My favorite is always the one I’m working on,” he said. Right now, that would make “The Piano Lesson” his favorite as he rehearses for the upcoming produc- tion, which runs Sept. 12 to Oct. 4 at the Two River Theater in Red Bank.
“The Piano Lesson” is play about family, history, inheritance and the struggle over how to honor the past. Set in 1936 in Pittsburgh, it centers on siblings Boy Willie and Berniece, who disagree over what to do with a prized family piano that was hand-carved by an enslaved ancestor. Boy Willie wants to sell the piano so he can buy land in Mississippi – the same land where his family was once enslaved. He believes owning the land will give him independence and a future. Berniece refuses to sell it because she sees the piano as a sacred record of their family’s suffering, survival and identity. To her, selling it would mean betraying their ancestors.
The play explores what people should do with the legacy they inherit: use it to build a future, preserve it as memory or find a way to do both.
Smith portrays Doaker, the uncle of Berniece and Boy Willie, who inherited the piano from their father. He attempts to remain neutral in the disagreement. Since its Broadway premiere in 1990, “The Piano Lesson” has become one of Wilson’s most beloved works, earning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“I applaud the Two River Theater for being committed to August Wilson and understanding the importance of the work and what it can offer audiences,” Smith said. “Wilson’s plays are so steeped in relationships and human connection. They’re funny, poignant and sad, which is real life in a nutshell.”
In addition to his Broadway credits, Smith’s movie appearances include “Malcolm X” and “Girl 6,” both directed by Spike Lee. “Spike has vision,” Smith said. “He has a way of telling stories in a very compelling way cinematically.”
“The Piano Lesson” marks the eighth production in Two River’s commitment to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle,” Justin Waldman, the theater’s artistic director, said. “Along the path of retelling these important stories, a cadre of phenomenal artists have come together to pass down this historical document. For those who have followed the Century Cycle at Two River, you’ll recognize some familiar and beloved faces on-and offstage. They do exactly what Wilson set out to do in penning these records: keep the past vital and alive.”
J. Bernard Calloway also has a history with August Wilson’s work, having performed in “The Piano Lesson” twice previously. He returns to Red Bank after appearing in Two River Theater’s 2012 run of “Jitney.” Calloway’s Broadway credits are diverse, ranging from roles in “Oklahoma!” and “Memphis” to the drama “All the Way,” playing a White House aide to Bryan Cranston’s President Lyndon B. Johnson. He’s also shared the silver screen with Denzel Washington in “The Taking of Pelham 123” and currently plays husband Terry to Patricia Williams on the sitcom “The Ms. Pat Show,” which is entering its sixth season.
“August Wilson’s work is profound,” Calloway said. “It helps you understand what life was like for a certain group of people in America during its development. It means a lot to me to continue his legacy. The ‘Ms. Pat Show’ is such contrasting work. Comedy is a lot harder than drama, but it’s a lot of fun.”
The cast also features Brandon Micheal Hall as Boy Willie and Danielle Moné Truitt as Berniece, along with Brian D. Coats, Joshua Echebiri, Arden Carethers and Elaán Battiste. It is directed by Francois Battiste (“Broke-olo-gy”), who has performed in several Wilson productions himself, including the national tour of “Jitney.”
The creative team includes scenic designer Junghyun Georgia Lee, costume designer Karen Perry, lighting designer Yuki Link, sound designer Megumi Ka- tayama, wig hair and makeup designer Cici Campbell, music supervisor and composer Ulysses Owens, music director Matt Grandy, fight and intimacy director Teniece Divya Johnson, production stage manager Kevin Jing-hong Zhu and assistant stage manager Matthew Rohan.
FREE EVENTS
Two River Theater will offer a series of free events as part of the production of “The Piano Lesson.”
• The Red Bank Public Library will host a book club at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Two River’s Studio A, reading and discussing “The Piano Lesson.”
• In the Know: An Intimate Conversation with Creatives at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, in Two River’s Studio A, features artistic director Justin Waldman with director Francois Battiste. Food and beverages will be available at 5:30 p.m., with the discussion starting at 5:45 p.m.
• Post Play Discussions led by members of the theater’s artistic staff will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater.
• A special screening of the film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” starring Academy Award winner Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman and Colman Domingo will take place at the Count Basie Cinema House in Red Bank at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, fol- lowed by a conversation with cast members of “The Piano Lesson” moderated by Gilda Rogers, executive director of the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center.
The production launches the theater’s 2026-2027 season. Previews begin on Sept. 12, with opening night Sept. 18 and running through Oct. 4. Tickets are available starting at $35. For more information, visit tworivertheater.org or call 732-345-1400.
This article originally appeared in the September 10-16, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
