Economic liberation, the preservation of familial legacy, or the desertion of one’s restrictive circumstances in search of a new identity is a topic that has especially plagued the Black community. Arguments for these ideas and ideals are what continue to create grave disaccords that halt forward movement. There is an abundance of truth and justification for each of these philosophies, but then the question becomes how does one reconcile trading history for self-independence. Very few plays have taken this aspect of the Black identity and fleshed it out in narrative form for all to see. The 1995 televised production of The Piano Lesson, encapsulates and explores these very themes. The production was beautifully crafted and Charles S. Dutton’s…show more content… The story, set in 1936, centers around the Charles family and the conflict that arises surrounding their cherished, and simultaneously haunted, family instrument—the piano. As we move through the story, we are introduced to Boy Willie, a man unwavering in his position to sell the piano; Lymon, Boy Willie’s partner-in-crime; Bernice, a woman resolute in her guarding of the piano; Doaker Charles, the family Patriarchal figure/ storyteller/keeper of the peace; Avery, a humble reverend intent on successfully courting Bernice; Maretha, Bernice’s daughter; Wining Boy, the charming but financially opportunistic older brother of Doaker Charles; and the ghosts of yellow dog and Sutter (the ghost of the slave-owner who owned the Charles family). The play as performed in the teleplay was able to take advantage of its cinematic medium and even surpass the written…show more content… His devotion to his character’s objective, his animation, his ability to create and contribute to the high stakes circumstances of the play was unmatched by any of the other highly convincing members of the cast. I especially enjoyed the scene around 46 minutes into the performance where Dutton as Boy Willie illustrates August Wilson’s central argument. Boy Willie and Bernice are arguing and explaining their reasoning behind the position they’ve taken with regards to the piano being sold. Bernice goes on to say that, “money can’t buy what that piano cost. You can’t sell your soul for money.” Boy Willie emphatically counters saying, “I ain’t talking about selling my soul! I’m talking about selling that piece of wood for some land! Land is the only thing that God ain’t making no more of.” Boy Willie’s physicality here; the heavy breathing, the earnest emphasis of words in his line delivery combined with his resolute attitude, masterfully paints the desire of a man trying to rewrite and surpass his family’s
