The late August Wilson is one of the most celebrated playwrights of the 21st century. Long after the award-winning mastermind’s passing, his works can still be enjoyed on stages and the small screen. This fall, New Jersey theater lovers will have the chance to experience one of Wilson’s productions right in their backyard.
In the announcement of its 2026/2026 season, Two River Theater revealed August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson to be its first offering. The Pulitzer Prize-winning production will make the theater its home for several weeks beginning on September 12.
Across 23 shows, patrons will enjoy the 1987 production as it was masterfully crafted by Wilson. Directed by award-winning actor and longtime thespian Francois Battiste, the timeless tale is in safe creative hands.
For those unfamiliar with the piece, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson is set in 1936, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, following The Great Depression. Following the death of their father, siblings Boy Willie and Berniece find themselves tied up in a contentious battle over the family’s pride and joy.
The website synopsis reads, “A tough decision pits brother against sister as the Charles family fights over the fate of their prized heirloom—a hand-carved piano. One wants to get rich off its sale, the other will do anything to keep it in the family.”
In a promotional clip shared to the theater’s official Instagram page,
“[‘The Piano Lesson’ forces us to think about] what are we willing to sell,” says Battise. “What are we willing to sacrifice to build a better future?”
At this time, the cast, production, or crew list has not yet been shared. However, no changes have been made to the production’s beloved characters list. So, audiences can expect to see Doaker, Berniece, Boy Willie, Lymon, Avery, Wining Boy, Maretha, and Grace working through the Charles family’s tumultuous battle.
The Piano Lesson has lived many creative lives. In 1995, the production was adapted for television. The adaptation, which starred Charles S. Dutton and Alfre Woodard, took home a Peabody Award and earned several Primetime Emmy Awards nominations. Again in 2024, The Piano Lesson was reworked yet again, but this time for a limited theatrical run. Directed by Malcolm Washington, who penned the screenplay alongside Virgil Williams, The Piano Lesson enjoyed a brief theatrical run before finding a home on Netflix. The 2024 film starred Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins.
The 2013 Off-Broadway run of The Piano Lesson, which starred Brandon J. Dirden, Chuck Cooper, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and Roslyn Ruff, took home four Lucille Lortel Awards and two Obie Awards. Whereas the 2023 revival, starring Jackson, Washington, Fisher, and Danielle Brooks, snagged multiple Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival of a Play and Best Featured Actor in a Play (Jackson).
The Piano Lesson will be presented inside of The Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater at Two River Theater, located at 21 Bridge Avenue in Red Bank, New Jersey. Tickets for The Piano Lesson are on sale now. To purchase tickets, click here. The Piano Lesson will officially open on September 12, 2026, and run until October 4, 2026.
Two River Theater will offer several access performance options, including fragrance-free (FF), play date (PD), American Sign Language (ASL), audio described (AD), and open captioned performances (OC). See the full schedule below.
The Piano Lesson Performance Schedule
09/12/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
09/13/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.]
09/16/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.]
09/16/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
09/17/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]09/18/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.] SOLD OUT
09/19/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.] FF show *
09/19/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
09/20/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.]
09/23/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.]
09/23/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.] Post-Performance Talk Back
09/24/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
09/25/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
09/26/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.] PD show *
09/26/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]09/27/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.] Post-Performance Talk Back SOLD OUT
09/30/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.] Post-Performance Talk Back
09/30/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
10/01/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
10/02/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
10/03/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.] ASL show *
10/03/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [7:30 p.m.]
10/04/2026 – Red Bank, NJ @ Two River Theater [2 p.m.] AD + OC show *