The Piano Lesson Director Discusses Two River Theater Production

Breaking news to your phone. US mobile only. No password required.

Broadway + NYC

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Off-Off Broadway

Cabaret

Dance

Opera

Classical Music

West End / UK

International

Canada

Australia / New Zealand

Europe

Asia

Latin America

Africa / Middle East

Entertainment

Ctrl + K to open · Esc to close

Artistic director Justin Waldman leads a discussion on staging August Wilson's classic drama.

Most Popular

Get all the top news & discounts for San Francisco & beyond. No password required.

Two River Theater posted a new installment of its IN THE KNOW series featuring Artistic Director Justin Waldman in conversation with Francois Battiste , director of the theater's upcoming production of August Wilson 's The Piano Lesson. The video offers an intimate look at Battiste's approach to the Pulitzer Prize-winning play ahead of its run at the Red Bank, New Jersey theater.

The Piano Lesson centers on a brother and sister locked in a dispute over a family heirloom piano, weighing whether to sell it or preserve its history. The play is part of August Wilson 's Century Cycle, a series of ten works chronicling Black American life across the 20th century, and remains one of Wilson's most widely produced dramas for its exploration of legacy, memory, and inheritance.

Two River Theater's staging marks the eighth Wilson production the company has mounted as part of its ongoing commitment to presenting all ten plays in the Century Cycle. The Piano Lesson is set to run September 12 through October 4 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, opening the theater's 2026/27 season.

The conversation follows earlier coverage of the production's casting and creative team, including an interview with cast member Danielle Moné Truitt about her role in the production.

Nominate your favorite local productions and performers before the deadline on October 31, 2026.

Review: THE COOK at Berkeley Rep

Exclusive: THE SOUND OF MUSIC Tour Star Cayleigh Capaldi Performs the Title Song

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Gets a Spectacular New Life at Broadway San Jose

PIVOT With Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway is Coming To San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre

When are you seeing ?

Get an Alert Each Time Rachel Stone Writes

BroadwayWorld TV

Breaking Broadway news & show discounts. No password required.

Breaking alerts by text. US mobile only.

POPULAR

Sign up for announcements and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows!

© 2026 — Copyright Wisdom Digital Media , all rights reserved. Privacy Policy

Episode

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/Video-THE-PIANO-LESSON-Director-Talks-Two-River-Theater-Production-20260919)._