Trai Byers Returns to The Piano Lesson for One-Night-Only January 26 | Playbill

Broadway News Trai Byers Returns to The Piano Lesson for One-Night-Only January 26

Reprising his role as Avery, Byers joins the cast for a special filming of the revival for the Lincoln Center Theatre on Film and Tape Archives.

Ray Fisher, Trai Byers, and Samuel L. Jackson in The Piano Lesson Julieta Cervantes

As The Piano Lesson enters its final weekend on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, original cast member Trai Byers returns as Avery January 26 for a one-night-only performance. Byers departed the revival January 15 with understudy Charles Browning stepping into the role for the remainder of the run, which will finish January 29.

The actor's return comes with news that this evening's performance will be taped for the Lincoln Center Theatre on Film and Tape Archives.

Set in Pittsburgh's Hill District in 1936, The Piano Lesson follows a brother and sister who are embroiled in a battle over a family heirloom: a piano hand-carved by an enslaved ancestor. Following the show, The Piano Lesson's titular prop heads to The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture where it will become a permanent resident

READ: Why You Can't Stream Lincoln Center Archive Filmings of Broadway Shows

Tony nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson, the first woman to direct an August Wilson play on Broadway, helms the production which stars Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker Charles, John David Washington as Boy Willie, and Danielle Brooks as Berniece, joined currently in the cast by Michael Potts as Wining Boy, Ray Fisher as Lymon, Charles Browning as Avery, April Matthis as Grace, and Nadia Daniel and Jurnee Swan as Maretha at alternating performances. Continuing as understudies are Peter Jay Fernandez, Sharina Martin, Warner Miller, Doron JePaul Mitchell, and Kim Sullivan.

READ: The Piano Lesson’s Ray Fisher and Trai Byers Return Home

The creative team also includes Tony-winning music director Jason Michael Webb, who composed new music for the revival, Tony-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, Tony-nominated costume designer Toni-Leslie James, Tony-nominated lighting designer Japhy Weideman, Tony-winning sound designer Scott Lehrer, Drama Desk-nominated designer Cookie Jordan, Tony-winning projection designer Jeff Snug, and choreographer Otis Sallid. Casting is by Calleri, Jensen, Davis, and general management is by Foresight Theatrical.

Wilson's play originally made its world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987 with Samuel L. Jackson starring as Boy Willie. In 1990, the play was staged at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, and subsequently transferred to Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama received Tony nominations for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play, Best Featured Actor in a Play, Best Actor in a Play, and Best Featured Actress in a Play.

Visit PianoLessonPlay.com.

Check Out Photos of Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, John David Washington, More in The Piano Lesson

 
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