Recognition
2025 LA Theatre Bites Awards
Nominated for Best Director, Best Production, and Best Ensemble, with wins for Landon Moss (Best Actor) and Ben Pettis (Best Featured Actor).
The lead
Boy Willie
When the clouds roll in on Boy Willie, Moss storms, and when they part his light shines on every seat in the house.
— Random Lengths News · 2025
The direction
Masterly pacing
Jay’s pacing is masterly… a literally show-stopping set piece that propels an essentially static scene forward by breaking it up.
— Random Lengths News · 2025
The reckoning
A faultless mise-en-scène
A faultless mise-en-scène immerses us in the spacetime of The Piano Lesson.
— Random Lengths News · 2025
About the Production
August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, directed by Rovin Jay at the Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage in 2025. The play centers on the Charles family and the question of what to do with a prized heirloom piano: sell it to secure the future, or preserve it as testament to their ancestors' spirit and struggle.
Critical Response
"Jay's pacing is masterly... a literally show-stopping set piece that also propels an essentially static scene forward by breaking it up. Meanwhile, a faultless mise-en-scène immerses us in the spacetime of The Piano Lesson."
— Random Lengths News · February 2025
Read Full Review — Random Lengths News →
"It's a story that straddles the past and the present with elements of history and spirituality. It's a complicated story, and I knew Rovin would do it justice. Rovin Jay is excellent at finding compassion for all of a story's characters. He is able to find the truth and the beauty in the difficult situations."
— Sean Gray, Artistic Director, Long Beach Playhouse · BroadwayWorld · 2025
Read Full Article — BroadwayWorld →
"Rovin always brings special touches to his work. Just like he did for Flight, Rovin makes the story haunting, truthful, and memorable."
— Madison Mooney, Executive Director, Long Beach Playhouse · BroadwayWorld · 2025
"An exceptional show — LA Theatre Bites Recommended."
— LA Theatre Bites · 9.2 / 10 · February 2025
Listen to the Review — LA Theatre Bites →
Recognition
2025 LA Theatre Bites Award — Nominated: Best Director · Best Production · Best Ensemble · Audience Award
Photo Gallery
Creative Team
Director
Rovin Jay
Playwright
August Wilson
Assistant Director
Sonya L. Randall
Stage Manager
Lilah Delarosa
Scenic Design
David Scaglione
Costume Design
Christina Bayer
Lighting Design
Donny Jackson
Sound Design
Jessica Rivera
Venue
Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage
Cast
Doaker Charles
Keven Benbow
Avery Brown
Keenan Carver
Grace
Danielle Davis
Maretha Charles
Kalia Johnson
Boy Willie Charles
Landon Moss ✦ LA Theatre Bites Best Actor 2025
Lymon Jackson
Ben Pettis ✦ LA Theatre Bites Best Featured Actor 2025
Wining Boy Charles
Maurice G. Smith
Berniece Charles
Rhyver White
Photo Credit
Mike Hardy