San Diego, CA - Cygnet Theatre Company is proud to kick off 2010 with August Wilson's The Piano Lesson.  This fifth play in Wilson's "Pittsburgh Cycle" garnered him his second Pulitzer Prize.  Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg (San Diego Critics Circle Award Best Director for Fences), the production runs January 21^st through February 28^th, 2010 on Cygnet Theatre's Old Town Stage located at 4040 Twiggs Street.  Low-priced previews are January 21^st through January 29^th.  Press Opening is January 30^th at 8pm.

In The Piano Lesson - Wilson's ode to the African-American experience of the 1930s - a piano that has been handed down for generations becomes a source of conflict for the Charles family.  It is 1936 and Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh from the South in a battered truck loaded with watermelons to sell.  But when an opportunity to buy some land arises, he needs big money quick and the family's heirloom piano seems like the perfect solution.   His sister has other thoughts, however.  She has already rejected several offers because the antique piano is covered with incredible carvings detailing the family's rise from slavery.  It's a spiritual and beautiful story of family, ambition and tradition.

The cast of The Piano Lesson includes many of the San Diego Critic's Circle Award Winning Ensemble from Cygnet's 2008 production of Fences including Laurence Brown, Madeline Hornbuckle, Antonio TJ Johnson (Patte Award Best Actor, Fences), Grandison Phelps III and from NBC's "Chuck", Mark Christopher Lawrence.  The production also features Monique Gaffney (San Diego Critic's Circle Award Best Actress, Yellowman), Keith Jefferson and Tanya Johnson-Herron.

Delicia Turner Sonnenberg joins Cygnet Theatre for her second time as guest director since the highly-lauded Fences.  She is a founder and Artistic Director of MOXIE Theatre and received the Des McAnuff New Visions Award for her risk-taking leadership at Moxie Theatre and her body of work in 2006. Delicia also worked as Artistic Associate for San Diego Repertory Theatre as a part of the TCG's New Generations Program: Future Leaders and was twice a recipient of the Van Lier Directing Fellowship in New York and is an alumna of the New York Drama League's Directors Program. Her most recent San Diego directing credits include The Seafarer (for the San Diego Repertory Theatre)  and the return of Moxie's Dog Act.

In addition to Cygnet's regularly scheduled performances of The Piano Lesson, Cygnet is planning a series of talk-back forums focused on August Wilson's legendary Cycle Plays, characters and themes.   Stay tuned for a list of guest speakers, topics and dates to further theatre-goers August Wilson-experience!   

Performances of The Piano Lesson are Wednesdays through Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.  Tickets are $17 - $46.  Discounts are available for seniors, students and military.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting Cygnet's website at www.cygnettheatre.com or calling the box office at 619-337-1525.  Tickets can also be purchased in person by visiting the box office at 4040 Twiggs St. in the Old Town Historic Park.

WHAT:      Cygnet Theatre Company presents The Piano Lesson.
 
WHERE:    Cygnet Theatre - The Old Town Stage
                 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
 
WHO:        Written by August Wilson
 
                 Director: Delicia Turner Sonnenberg         Stage Manager: Heather Brose*
                 Costume Design: Megan Schmidt               Lighting Design: Eric Lotzeº
                 Sound Design: George Ye                          Properties Design: Bonnie Durbenº
                 Scenic Design: Jerry Sonnenberg               Wig and Hair Design: Peter Hermanº
                 * Member of Actors Equity Association, °Resident Artist      
 
CAST:       Laurence Brown (Lymon)
                 Monique Gaffney* (Berniece)
                 Madeline Hornbuckle (Maretha)
                 Keith Jefferson* (Avery)
                 Antonio TJ Johnson (Doaker)
                 Tanya Johnson-Herron (Grace)
                 Mark Christopher Lawrence* (Boy Willie)
                 Grandison Phelps III (Winning Boy)
                 * Member of Actors Equity Association
                         
DATES:    Previews begin: Thusday, January 21st, 2010
                Press Opening: Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 8:00pm
                Closes: Sunday, February 28th, 2010
 
                 Performance Schedule
                 Wednesday - Thursday at 7:30pm
                 Friday at 8:00pm
                 Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
                 Sunday at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
 
PRICES:   Range from $17-$46
                Previews: $27(Section A) / $17(Section B)
                Wednesday and Sunday Evenings: $38(Section A) / $28(Section B)
                Thursday, Friday Evenings and Sunday Matinees: $40(Section A) / $30(Section B)
                Saturday Evenings: $42(Section A) / $32(Section B)
                Opening Night: $46(Section A) / $36(Section B)
                (Discounts are available for children, seniors, students, active-duty military and groups)
 
HOW:       Phone: (619) 337-1525
                Online: www.cygnettheatre.com
                In Person: Old Town Theatre - 4040 Twiggs St., San Diego, CA 92110