Netflix’s The Piano Lesson has added several actors to its star-studded cast.
According to Deadline, the feature adaptation of August Wilson’s Tony-nominated Broadway play has added Malik J. Ali, Gail Bean, Jerrika Hinton, Stephan James, Jay Peterson and Matrell Smith to its cast.
This casting announcement comes a few days after Erykah Badu was said to make to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming film.
The singer will deliver musical performances in the film adaptation.
‘The Piano Lesson’ will star Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington.
The film’s cast will also feature Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts and Corey Hawkins.
Here’s an official description:
Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the family piano, which documents the family history through carvings made by their enslaved ancestor
John David and Malcolm’s father, Denzel Washington, will produce the film alongside Todd Black. The screenplay is from Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams.
The Broadway revival of The Piano Lesson with Jackson and John David Washington recently ended its run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, playing 27 previews and 124 regular performances. It is the highest-grossing revival of a play on Broadway and the highest-grossing Wilson production on Broadway ever.
The two prior August Wilson film adaptations, Fences in 2016 and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in 2020, were critically acclaimed, receiving multiple Oscar nominations.