'The Piano Lesson' - Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washinton Star in August Wilson's Play Adaptation

The Piano Lesson - official movie trailer and release date — The Piano Lesson. (screenshot/Netflix)

Netflix unveiled the official trailer for ‘The Piano Lesson‘, the drama film based on the 1987’s play of the same name by playwright August Wilson. The film is directed by August Washington and produced by Denzel Washington, who was familiar with Wilson’s work being involved in two of the playwright’s adaptation, ‘Fences’ and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’.

Starring the film are Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and featuring an appearance by Grammy-award winning singer Erykah Badu.

Release Date

Directed by August Washington, ‘The Piano Lesson’ is set to premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2024. The film opens in select US theaters on November 8, 2024 and on Netflix on November 22, 2024.

Synopsis

Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the family piano, which documents the family history through carvings made by their enslaved ancestor.

“Every family has a history, stories from the past that inform the present; an origin story. Ultimately this story is much bigger than me and my family — it, like the Black American experience, is an interconnected web of stories that span space and time. I hope that when audiences experience our film, they see themselves on the screen and hear the voices of their ancestors calling to them, offering peace and protection.” stated director August Washington on the film.

Producer Denzel Washington talked about his connection with playwright August Washington’s work, saying, “The estate of August Wilson came to me and said, ‘We would like to put August Wilson’s plays in your hands for you to produce and direct for film,’ ” Washington told Chaz Ebert during an interview at the American Black Film Festival in Miami. “I said, ‘I’m just the guy for the job.’ We’ve done three good ones so far.”