Wednesday, 04/27/05

How do you end a theater season? By producing a play that leaves patrons wishing they wouldn't have to wait until autumn to see you again.

That's precisely what Tennessee Repertory Theatre has done with its powerful and poignant presentation of August Wilson's 1990 Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Piano Lesson. The company caps off its superlative 20th season with a show in which moments of misery and mirth mix with the memories of the past and mysteries of the supernatural.

Woodie King, Jr., founder and artistic director of New York's ground-breaking New Federal Theatre, has masterfully directed an ensemble of actors who fully inhabit these characters to the point that we forget we're watching theater. The piece is set in 1936 Pittsburgh, but its humanity knows no bounds of time or place in the hands of this cast.

We're in the home of Doaker Charles (Carl Gordon). Charles' nephew, Boy Willie (Barry Scott), arrives from the South with his friend Lymon (jeff obafemi carr) and a truckload of watermelons the two plan to sell. Boy Willie plans to use his share of the proceeds to buy some land that previously belonged to the Sutters, former slave masters to the Charles family.

He needs more money than the watermelons will provide, and decides it's time to sell a 137-year-old piano carved with images of his family. His sister Bernice (Kimberley LaMarque) doesn't want to part with the piano, however, and is sure she's right after a ghostly encounter leaves her convinced that Boy Willie has brought evil into the house.

Gordon, who played Doaker on Broadway, returns to the role like a virtuoso violinist picking up a Stradivarius. His searing recollection of how the piano came into the family's possession is one of the most thrilling moments on Polk Theater's stage in quite some time.

Scott, carr and LaMarque so fully inhabit their characters that one forgets they are experienced actors who've entranced audiences numerous times before. The rest of the cast is no less impressive.

The other production elements are top-notch. Properties master Steven Lepley deserves a special mention for the beautiful assembly of sculpted pieces that make the piano a vivid character in this play.

The Rep should be proud of its 20th season, and particularly proud of this show. It illuminates and entertains as few other Rep productions have.

Getting there

The Piano Lesson, a professional Actors' Equity-affiliated production by Tennessee Repertory Theatre, continues through May 7 in TPAC's Polk Theater. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays with an additional performance at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7. Tickets ($15-42) are available at TPAC, Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills, Ticketmaster outlets or 255-ARTS (2787). For more information, visit www.tnrep.org. Note: This play contains strong language and adult content.