‘The Piano Lesson’ hits theaters Friday, Nov. 8

“THE PIANO LESSON” HITS SELECT THEATERS ON NOV. 8, AND ON NETFLIX, NOV. 22. Play originally part of August Wilson’s ‘Pittsburgh Cycle’ & by Merecedes J. Williams Some say you shouldn’t mix business with plea­sure or work with family, but it seems to be work­ing for Denzel Washing­ton’s family. Later this month, Washington will release the highly antic­ipated film, “Gladiator”; his wife, Pauletta, plays an opinionated mother on Hulu’s breakout sitcom, “Reasonable Doubt”; and their two sons, Malcolm and John David, dominate both sides of the camera in Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson.” Commentary Malcolm Washington directs the revival of “The Piano Lesson,” part of August Wilson’s cele­brated Pittsburgh Cycle (also known as American Century Cycle), while his older brother stars as Boy Willie. MERECEDES J. WILLIAMS INTERVIEWS MALCOLM WASHINGTON AND JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON IN PITTSBURGH, OCT. 28. (PHOTO BY JAY WHITE DIGITAL MEDIA) Set in 1936, the movie follows the Charles fam­ily struggling over the fate of an heirloom piano intricately carved with their ancestors’ faces. This isn’t just a living room ornament; it’s a musical staple of pain, resilience and memory—a genera­tional story of Black lives shaped by history and personal loss. “The piano represents a lot—it’s an altar...