The Piano Lesson – A Co-production of Sankofa Theatre Company and the Gallo Center for the Arts

The Piano Lesson – A Co-production of Sankofa Theatre Company and the Gallo Center for the Arts

Friday, March 3, 7 pm
Saturday, March 4, 7 pm
Sunday, March 5, 2 pm

Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I Street in downtown Modesto

More information at https://tickets.galloarts.org/9075/9078

Ten seasons ago, Sankofa Theatre Company got its start with this haunting and dramatic work in a co-Production with the Gallo Center. Now Sankofa is bringing back The Piano Lesson, August Wilson’s second Pulitzer Prize-winning play, in celebration of its 10th anniversary as the region’s only African American theater company. Directed by Tanika Baptiste.

At the heart of the story stands the ornately carved upright piano that has been gathering dust in the parlor of Berniece Charles’ Pittsburg home.  When Boy Willie, her exuberant brother, bursts into her life with his dream of buying the same Mississippi land that their family had worked as slaves, he plans to sell the antique piano for the cash needs to stake his future. Berniece refuses to sell, clinging to the piano as a reminder of the history that is their family legacy. “The Piano Lesson is stupendous…rich and resonant,” said The Washington Post.