The given performance of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson was a very successful production of the work for several reasons. Firstly, the actors’ staff was excellent, as they reflected the main ideas which Wilson aimed to show in his play. Secondly, the atmosphere was performed flawlessly, and decorations contributed to the overall perception of the work. It is important to discuss other features of this production, including acting, directing, design, and several other elements, to understand why the performance is excellently fulfilled.
Some aspects were significant, such as genuine acting and scenic design. I especially liked how the actor performed Boy Willie, a playful and ambitious male. Moreover, I appreciated the fact that the actors were natural in their emotions; the simple scenic design added to the perception of the play. Furthermore, it was necessary to note how actors delivered their speeches, as it influenced the perception of the whole play. People’s actions on the stage were outstanding and reflected what I thought about actors while reading the written play. For instance, I imagined Doaker Charles precisely as shown in the given production; he spoke straightforwardly and represented an ordinary working man in his middle years. The actor who played Doaker Charles managed to identify with the character and expressed similar emotions such as conservatism, directness, and honesty.
Moreover, I saw no false emotions in the actors during the performance. It was pleasing to watch the play, as the actors delivered their speeches timely and without confusion. Dancing and singing, which happened in the middle of the work when the family gathered, were appropriate and performed excellently. If dancing and singing looked natural, the production was successful because it contributed to the spectator’s obsession with the performance. The directing was good because it implemented the necessary emotions for each character. For instance, the actress playing Berniece was shown as a strong woman who could say her intense word if needed. The actress perfectly reflected her image, as sometimes she screamed and stated her position clearly.
Furthermore, the production was great, although actors wore ordinary costumes and the stage had no excessive decorations. However, it added to the whole performance, as when I read Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, I did not imagine any elevated conditions. For instance, the action was happening within one location during the production performance. The critical notion was the simplicity of clothes and decorations in the given production work and the absence of special scenic light. Several lamps created a homemade atmosphere, and the light changed according to the specific scene.
Several unique design elements were successful and contributed to my positive opinion of the play. For instance, I liked how the actors reflected the prominent theme of acceptance during the play. Although The Piano Lesson is a performance about multiple topics, including racism and self-determination, the theme of acceptance was seen. For example, when the character Lymon digressed about his past in Mississippi, he spoke about his intentions to start a new life in Pittsburgh. He had no choice but to accept his current position and reasonably choose his future direction in life. Therefore, the given version was excellent for multiple reasons, including plausible actors’ playing, the absence of excessive decorations, and appropriate dancing and singing scenes. Moreover, the reflection of Wilson’s original text facilitated a positive impression and added to the excellence of the performance.