John David Washington Talks About His Connection To ‘The Piano Lesson’, Differences He Discovered Between Film And Theater, And His Upcoming Project With Gareth Edwards – The Deadline Q&A
18.01.2023 - 23:07
/ deadline.com
On my way down to Tribeca to meet actor John David Washington for lunch, I had a lot of questions swirling in my head that made me nervous about our encounter. I am meeting a man who comes from a Hollywood dynasty of sorts. Washington has had so many experiences, what questions could I possibly ask that would make our conversation relatable and engaging. John David is the oldest of four children and his parents are two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington and actress/singer Pauletta Washington.
At the age of seven, he appeared as a student in a Harlem classroom in Spike Lee’s 1992 feature film Malcolm X, which starred his father in the titular role. As he grew older, his interest shifted to something a bit more physical. He started his professional football career at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and then signed on with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent. However, it looks like the acting bug came back in full force because John David has worked with Christopher Nolan in Tenet, starred in Malcolm and Marie, worked with Spike Lee in BlacKkKlansman. Now he is starring in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson on Broadway.
Directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson and set design by Beowulf Boritt, Washington stars as Boy Willie, a man looking to sell the family piano and from the sale, he aims to start his life as a self-sustaining farmer. Along with Washington, the play stars Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, Ray Fisher, and Michael Potts and runs through January 29th at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in NYC.
The Charles family consists of Boy Willie (Washington) family matriarch Berniece (Brooks), her daughter Grace (Matthis), and uncle Doaker Charles (Jackson).The family piano resides in Berniece’s house which is