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Philadelphia Tribune - Entertainment Now - Friday, March 14, 2008 - Index

Friday, March 14, 2008 Philadelphia Tribune
Page 27-E
Jr. as Doaker, Chioma Dunkaretha,
and Kala Moses Bax-
Berniece give stellar perform-
Piano Lesson.”
Kimberly C. Roberts
Tribune Entertainment Writer
Last Wednesday was a night of “firsts” for
me: My first time visiting the beautiful Arden
Theatre Company, and my first time seeing
“The Piano Lesson,” the fourth installment of
August Wilson’s “Pittsburgh Cycle,” a series of
plays set in his hometown. I am happy to say
on both counts that my “first” will not be my
last.
A number of local favorites were cast in the
superb ensemble directed by Walter Dallas, including
Harum Ulmer (Wining Boy) and the
hardworking Brian Anthony Wilson (Avery),
who was wonderful in the Philadelphia Theatre
Company’s production of “King Hedley II.”
Populated with a myriad of well defined, delightfully
“country” characters, “The Piano Lesson”
is the story of Berniece and Boy Willie
(Kes Khemnu), a brother and sister who can’t
agree. The bone of contention is an heirloom
piano that has great sentimental value for
Berniece, because their great-grandfather,
who was supremely talented at woodworking,
carved the faces of their ancestors into the
beautiful antique instrument. With the entire
family history literally etched into that piano, its
value goes far beyond the aesthetic, and
Berniece believes that a price cannot be
placed on it.
However, Boy Willie, who has driven to Pittsburgh
with his friend Lymon (the endearing
Yagel T. Welch) and a load of watermelons to
sell, feels quite differently. He wants to sell the
piano so that he can combine the proceeds
with the cash from his watermelon sales and
buy some land down south. Berniece refuses
to sell, and therein lies the problem.
Wilson’s vivid and descriptive writing literally
sparkles in this piece, and Dallas is obviously
intimately acquainted with the rhythm and vitality
of it. His direction of the superior cast
makes them appear all too familiar to many
members of the audience — particularly the
shameless Wining Boy, who fancies himself a
“recording star,” yet is constantly mooching off
of everyone who spends more than 10 minutes
with him. Ulmer, who is a talented singer, was
hilarious in this role, playing the drunken uncle
who just refuses to leave.
As the put-upon Berniece, Kayla Moses
Baxter, another local favorite, was a natural,
and Dallas informed me on opening night
that she had joined the cast only one-week
prior, replacing Yvette Ganier. Her thin frame
made her performance even more powerful
as she stood her ground against her bully of
a brother.
Which brings us to the phenomenal Kes
Khemnu. With a gift for physical comedy and a
commanding stage presence, he was a force
of nature as the completely obnoxious and exasperating
Boy Willie. Having invaded his sister’s
home, he heckled, he threatened, he demanded,
he cajoled, he flattered — whatever it
took to get that piano out of that house, and
let’s just say that Berniece wasn’t the only one
who wanted to kill him. I’d dare say that this
scene-stealer should be considered for a Barrymore
Award after this unforgettable performance,
but I’d also say that everyone in the cast
was stellar, including Julian Rozzell Jr. as the
rock steady Doaker, virtually the only voice of
reason in that madhouse.
In fact, everything about this production was
first rate — from the warm and “folksy” set by
Donald Eastman to the realistic and haunting
sound design by Jorge Cousineau.
I do believe that in August Wilson and Walter
Dallas, we have discovered a theatrical
“Dream Team.” Dallas allows us to develop an
intimate relationship with the characters that
makes you feel as if you’re sitting in the living
room with frustrating but lovable relatives. He
understands and can relate to the experiences
that Wilson so colorfully describes, and both
clearly have an appreciation for music. The
scene around the kitchen table was absolutely
captivating. Don’t know what I’m talking
about? Well, I guess you’ll just have to go and
see for yourself! “The Piano Lesson” plays at
the Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd St.)
through April 6.