The New Yorker Radio Hour: In-Depth Analysis of "The Piano Lesson" Adaptation Release Date: November 19, 2024
Host: David Remnick
Produced by: WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

Introduction

In the November 19, 2024 episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour, host David Remnick delves into the latest cinematic adaptation of August Wilson's acclaimed play, "The Piano Lesson." This episode particularly spotlights Danielle Deadweiler, who stars as Bernice in the film, and explores the intricate dynamics of family, heritage, and artistic legacy. The discussion is enriched by insights from Doreen San Felix, the New Yorker staff writer profiled in Deadweiler's previous work.

Adapting August Wilson’s "The Piano Lesson"

David Remnick opens the episode by contextualizing Denzel Washington's significant role not only as an actor but also as a producer. Washington has ambitiously undertaken the task of adapting ten of August Wilson's plays—the esteemed Century Cycle—into films. "The Piano Lesson," now the third adaptation, features Deadweiler in a pivotal role alongside John David Washington, Denzel's son, who portrays Boy Willie. Malcolm Washington, another of Denzel's sons, directs the film, highlighting the family's deep involvement in this project.

Character Study: Bernice and Boy Willie

Danielle Deadweiler provides a nuanced portrayal of Bernice, a widow grappling with her family's legacy embodied in a symbolic piano. The film is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the Great Migration, emphasizing the strain on the African American family structure during that era.

Danielle Deadweiler ([02:26]): "In the Piano Lesson, the Charles family is rent asunder by this object, this talisman, which is a piano on which are carved the likenesses of their ancestors."

Bernice's brother, Boy Willie (played by John David Washington), arrives from Mississippi with the intention of selling the piano to fund the purchase of his family's ancestral farm, a move Bernice vehemently opposes as she views the piano as a cornerstone of their identity.

John David Washington ([03:32]): "It's 5:00 in the morning and you coming here with all this noise, you can't come like normal. She got to bring all that noise with you."

Deadweiler discusses Bernice's internal conflict:

Danielle Deadweiler ([04:15]): "Bernice's fragile stability that she has is completely torn asunder."

Symbolism of the Piano

The piano serves as a central symbol in the narrative, representing history, tradition, and ancestral connections. Deadweiler reflects on how the piano embodies both a living tradition and a source of familial tension.

Danielle Deadweiler ([11:06]): "The piano lesson to me is one of the more interesting Wilson plays because you see him confronting, I think, the ideas that he was raised with, given that he was so enamored of his mother."

David Remnick expands on this symbolism:

David Remnick ([06:57]): "The piano is a living, breathing altar. It's a portal, it's a door. It takes up so much space in the design of the home and it takes up so much space in the consciousness of everyone in the house."

He further connects the piano to broader themes of growth and identity within the constraints of societal expectations and systemic racism.

David Remnick ([07:50]): "The piano is questioning both of them and everybody in the house therein gets to be questioned."

The Washington Family’s Artistic Legacy

The adaptation is a family affair, with Malcolm Washington directing and other family members contributing to the project. David Remnick highlights the collaborative spirit of the Washington family, emphasizing how their collective efforts mirror the themes of inheritance and legacy present in the film.

David Remnick ([17:25]): "Histories are past by the dinner table. Histories are passed whilst you're making the thing. Histories are passed on set."

Danielle Deadweiler notes the intergenerational impact of August Wilson's work:

Danielle Deadweiler ([19:52]): "With this film adaptation, which inherits prior stage reproductions, the TV adaptation, all I can think about is how interesting it will be to see in 10, 15, 20 years an artist react to this version."

Themes of Inheritance and History

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the concept of inheritance—not just of tangible assets but of cultural and familial histories. Remnick and Deadweiler discuss how history is perpetuated through oral traditions and daily practices, especially within black communities.

David Remnick ([14:59]): "History is largely orally passed down in black communities. The information is spread in all kinds of ways, musically, in movement, in work, in modes of survival."

Deadweiler adds:

Danielle Deadweiler ([16:33]): "This is a film about family, about the difficulty of maintaining family, but it's also made by a family which I find very interesting."

They explore how these inherited stories and practices shape individual identities and collective memory, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these traditions amidst changing societal landscapes.

Conclusion and Reflections

As the conversation wraps up, Remnick and Deadweiler reflect on the enduring legacy of August Wilson's work and its adaptation into film. They acknowledge the ongoing ripple effect of these stories, which continue to inspire and provoke contemplation across generations.

David Remnick ([20:43]): "That makes it intergenerational, that makes it, that makes it ripple. You can just see the wake continue."

Deadweiler encapsulates the essence of the adaptation:

Danielle Deadweiler ([20:55]): "Histories are passed as we keep doing things together. You keep making stuff. You keep coming back to each other. You keep forging ahead, you keep rebirthing."

The episode concludes with an announcement that "The Piano Lesson" is available in theaters and streaming on Netflix, inviting listeners to engage with this profound exploration of family and legacy.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Danielle Deadweiler ([02:26]): "In the Piano Lesson, the Charles family is rent asunder by this object, this talisman, which is a piano on which are carved the likenesses of their ancestors."

• John David Washington ([03:32]): "It's 5:00 in the morning and you coming here with all this noise, you can't come like normal."

• Danielle Deadweiler ([04:15]): "Bernice's fragile stability that she has is completely torn asunder."

• David Remnick ([06:57]): "The piano is a living, breathing altar. It's a portal, it's a door."

• Danielle Deadweiler ([11:06]): "The piano lesson to me is one of the more interesting Wilson plays..."

• David Remnick ([14:59]): "History is largely orally passed down in black communities."

• Danielle Deadweiler ([16:33]): "This is a film about family, about the difficulty of maintaining family, but it's also made by a family..."

• David Remnick ([20:43]): "That makes it intergenerational, that makes it, that makes it ripple."

Final Thoughts

This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour offers a profound exploration of "The Piano Lesson," highlighting its thematic depth and the collaborative artistry of the Washington family. Through insightful dialogue and personal reflections, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the film's significance and its place within the broader tapestry of American storytelling.