August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson: Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, John David Washington in an Homage to Ancestors

The piano at the center of August Wilson’s wise play The Piano Lesson is an object of beauty and resilience. Carved of a family history, this piano is a remnant of slavery, of ancestors being bought and sold, children separated from parents and siblings. Which is why the fight between Boy Willie (John David Washington) and his sister Berniece (Danielle Brooks) is so resonant, beyond property division. She and the piano live in Philadelphia with their uncle Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson); Boy Willie comes north, wanting to sell the piano so he can buy land. She’s hanging tough.

Now closed, the play packed the Ethel Barrymore Theater for its entire run, and its not just because of the starry nature of the players, but the artifact itself. Announced this week: The piano will go into the Smithsonian.

Yes, we’re talking family here: John David Washington is Denzel Washington’s son, and we’ve seen him in movies such as Spike Lee’s Blackkklansman. Denzel Washington starred in the recent Broadway of August Wilson’s Fences and in the film, vowing to ensure the revival of all of Wilson’s work. This revival of The Piano Lesson was directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson’s wife. Under Jackson’s superb direction, Washington’s Boy Willie is a jittery, fast-moving, fast-talking wannabe mover and shaker. As the lovelorn Berniece, Danielle Brooks can do much with a roll of an eye, wearing her hair in curlers or dressed for church. And Jackson’s Doaker provides wisdom as brother and sister duke it out verbally, evoking the supernatural. A fine supporting cast adds to the brilliance of this revival, probably this year’s Tony winner. Just saying.

In the last week before closing, the audience response was visceral with everyone agreeing we had witnessed theater most magical. But still, a rumor persisted as eyes roamed: was Denzel in the room?