The Piano Lesson

1930's Pittsburgh, a brother comes home to claim "my half of the piano", a family heirloom; but his sister is not wanting to part with it. This is a glimpse of the conditions for African-Americans as well as some of the attitudes and influences on their lives. But whether he is able to sell the piano so that he can get enough money to buy some property and "no longer have to work for someone else" involves the story (or lesson) that the piano has to show him.

• 
  Lloyd Richards

• 
  Charles S. Dutton
  Boy Willie
• 
  Alfre Woodard
  Berniece Charles
• 
  Carl Gordon
  Doaker
• 
  Tommy Hollis
  Avery
• 
  Lou Myers
  Wining Boy
• 
  Courtney B. Vance
  Lymon
• 
  Zelda Harris
  Maretha
• 
  Rosalyn Coleman
  Grace
• 
  Tommy Lafitte
  Ace
• 
  Lynne Innerst
  Miss Ophelia
• 
  Harold Surratt
  Papa Willie Boy
• 
  Jackson Nunn
  Horse Trainer-Owner (uncredited)
• 
  Elva Branson
  Mama Berniece
• 
  Tim Hartman
  Sutter
• 
  Ben Tatar
  Watermelon Man
• 
  Alice Eisner
  Watermelon Lady
• 
  Bob Tracey
  Nolander