Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its inaugural season in the Associated Bank Theater Center with one of the most powerful works in the American canon, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, running February 24–March 22 in the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater. Under the masterful direction of Lou Bellamy, whose acclaimed staging of Fences captivated Milwaukee audiences, this production marks the Rep’s ninth entry in Wilson’s American Century Cycle. The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece is a potent blend of family conflict and ancestral legacy which promises an unforgettable theatrical experience that resonates long after the final note.
During the Great Depression, the Charles household reaches a boiling point over a decision that will define them: sell the family’s cherished heirloom piano to secure their fortune or preserve it as a testament to their ancestor’s spirit and struggle. August Wilson’s explosive, award-winning play The Piano Lesson is a gripping story of family, legacy and the choices that define us.
The cast of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson includes La’Tevin Alexander (Fences, Portland Stages) as Lymon, James T. Alfred (Fences, Milwaukee Rep) as Boy Willie, James Craven (Our Town and The Whipping Man, Milwaukee Rep) as Doaker Charles, Ny’ajai Ellison (The Mountain Top, Invictus Theare Co) as Grace, Anthony Irons (Treasure Island, Lookingglass Theatre) as Avery, Nubia Monks (Primary Trust, Guthrie) as Berniece, Lester Purry (Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Portland Playhouse) as Wining Boy and young performers Estelle Brown and Amalia Green alternating in the role of Maretha.
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson is directed by Lou Bellamy, founder and Co-Artistic Director of Penumbra Theatre Company in Saint Paul, MN, America’s premiere theater dedicated to dramatic exploration of the African American experience. He directed Milwaukee Rep’s critically acclaimed production of Fences in 2016. His creative team includes set design by Vicki Smith (Fences, Milwaukee Rep), costume design by Mathew J. LeFebrve (Noises Off, Milwaukee Rep), lighting design by Don Damutzer (Fences, Milwaukee Rep), sound design by Scott Edwards (Disgraced, Milwaukee Rep) and stage managed by Jade Bruno.
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson is presented by Cheryl and David Walker with Associate Producers Laura and Mike Arnow. It is a co-production with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
To purchase tickets to August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson go to www.MilwaukeeRep.com, call the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or visit in-person at 108 E Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee.
For more information, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com
::Fact Sheet::
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson
Directed by Lou Bellamy
February 24 – March 22, 2026
Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
Running time: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes with one intermission.
Download August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson Press Kit with photos and logos.
Community Nights:
Teen Night: Friday, March 13– For only $15 enjoy the show and a pre-show dinner with the Teen Council
Post-Show Experiences:
Panel: Tuesday, March 3 – The Other Side – Exploring Spirituality in the Black Community
Wine and Words: Post show Wednesday, March 11. Grab a complimentary glass of wine and join Radio Milwaukee and Rep Associate Artistic Director Laura Braza after the show for a lively in-depth conversation.
Prologue: Music and Resilience: Pre-show Thursday, March 19, 6pm-7pm in the Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center explore how music preserves history, honors legacy and fuels resistance. Dinner Dialogue: Sunday, March 22 at 5:15pm in the Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center. Join fellow community members for a shared meal and a guided conversation exploring the themes of current productions. Enjoy meaningful dialogue over delicious food and drink in a welcoming setting.
TalkBacks: Fridays following the performance March 6 and 13.
Workshops:
The Piano Lesson Community Workshops: February 25 and March 4, 4-6pm at America’s Black Holocaust Museum (401 W North Ave).
Access Services
Audio-Described Performance: Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30pm – the show will be described for patrons who are blind or have low vision.
ASL Performance: Friday, March 13 at 7:30pm – the show will be signed for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Open-Captioned Performances with GalaPro, a real-time closed caption app
Thursday, March 5, 7:30pm
Wednesday, March 11, 1:30pm
Sunday, March 22, 2pm
Ticket Information
Tickets: www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by phone at 414-224-9490, or Ticket Office at 108 E Wells Street, Milwaukee.
Hours: 12noon – 6pm; on performance days the Ticket Office remains open until 15 minutes past curtain.
Student Discounts: Students 18 and under can purchase $20 tickets for select seating areas.
25 & Under: Select $20 tickets available for patrons 25 & Under. (Select 25 & Under price at checkout online)
Group Sales: Discounted tickets for parties of 10+. Call 414-290-5340.
About Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin with its new artistic home in the Associated Bank Theater Center opening Fall 2025 with three unique performance venues—the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater, Herro-Franke Studio Theater, and Stackner Cabaret. For over seven decades, Milwaukee Rep has been a centerpiece of Milwaukee’s vibrant arts and cultural scene with productions ranging from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare to American Classics and New Works that are entertaining, inclusive and impactful. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Executive Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity. More information visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com