For Ray Fisher, “The Piano Lesson” was more than just a role – it was a personal and professional milestone, an opportunity to explore the layers of humanity, trauma and family that made Wilson’s artful pieces timeless.
“August Wilson has the ability to tap into humanity itself,” Fisher says in this week’s episode diversity Awards Circuit Podcast. “Even though he wrote this piece in the 1980s or 1930s, it feels like it speaks directly to us today. The family dynamics, the trauma, the way people try to find the way forward – it's universal.” Listen below!
Directed by Malcolm Washington and featuring a strong cast including John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler and Samuel L. Jackson, The Piano Lesson reimagines Wilson's words with a sense of urgency that resonates deeply in today's climate.
“The Piano Lesson” brings Wilson's stage text to cinematic life, incorporating visual elements that expand the scope of the piece while preserving its emotional core. Fisher praises Washington's leadership, describing him as “a people-oriented person” whose thoughtfulness shines.
Malcolm Washington and co-screenwriter Virgil Williams found a way to trim the play while retaining its spirit. Fisher says diversity“The film feels bigger. Even though most of the story takes place in a house, it still feels cinematic. You can’t turn away from the history and trauma these characters face.”
For Fisher, this confrontation with the past is at the heart of the story. “You can’t turn away from your story,” he says. “You can’t turn away from your trauma. It will follow you like a ghost. Until you deal with it – and that’s exactly what this family needs to do.”
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Fisher plays Lyman, a gentle, earnest man searching for connection and stability in a world that often seems to be against him. The character is a counterpart to John David Washington's ambitious and headstrong Boy Willie. For Fisher, the key to playing Lyman was coming from a place of truth.
“Lyman is serious to the core,” shares Fisher. “He is neither a hustleman nor a fast talker. He wants love, companionship, and a new beginning, but doesn't always have the colloquial or emotional tools to express it. He went through so much trauma, but he didn't let it harden him. That’s what I wanted to capture – someone who has been through a lot but still has this openness and curiosity about the world.”
Fisher credits August Wilson's writing with creating a character that feels both specific and universal. “Wilson draws all of his characters in such a complete, three-dimensional way. You can be on either side of this story. Depending on the day, you might agree with Berniece, Boy Willie or even Lyman,” he shares. “That’s the beauty of this piece. There is no clear right or wrong answer to the family’s future path.”
The film's emotional climax is a scene in which the male characters – including Fisher, Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Michael Potts – sing together, creating a moment of pure vulnerability and shared pain.
“It’s such a powerful scene,” Fisher says. “They connected these four men through their shared traumas and experiences and found that connection through music. It's almost like an exorcism – they're letting out all the pain and burden they've been carrying. It’s a moment of healing and humanity that you rarely see, especially in stories about black men.”
Fisher remembers the tension on set while filming the scene: “We sang it live, which was incredible. You could feel the weight of the history we were honoring. It started off light and seemingly happy, but as the song progressed you could see each man's personal journey in the way they sang and in the expressions on their faces. It was celebratory, powerful and deeply emotional. This is a moment that people will remember.”
Fisher was born in Maryland and grew up in Camden County, New Jersey. He grew up in a large family with five siblings. He credits his older brother with instilling his love of films, which they often watched together at blockbuster marathons. In high school, Fisher discovered theater and began performing in musicals while working at a Cinemark concession stand where he could watch movies for free. After a year off to find clarity, he attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where he studied acting and worked as a Broadway bartender.
“It was humbling to be so close to the magic of Broadway while trying to make it as an actor,” Fisher remembers. “I bartended on shows like 'Fences' with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, and that sense of community stayed with me. Fast forward years later and be in an August Wilson play with the Washington family – it feels like we’ve come full circle.”
As Fisher reflects on the industry and his role in it, he remains hopeful about the future of storytelling and representation. “I hope the industry continues to commit to telling diverse stories and addressing the truths of our history. There is a lot of resistance right now, but storytellers have a responsibility to carry the torch and keep these stories alive.”
As for what's next, Fisher is busy with projects like a possible Broadway transfer of “Fetch Clay, Make Man.” “He is also open to working with the Washington family again. “If you call, I’ll be there,” he says with a smile.
Basically, Fisher is just in love with art and nothing will stop him. Above all, he emphasizes the importance of staying active and engaged. “We can’t just get angry; we have to take action. Get involved in your community. Stay alert. There is always something you can do. I do this because I believe in the power of storytelling. It's about keeping history alive, connecting us with humanity and moving us forward. This is the gift of August Wilson – and I am honored to be a part of it.”
The episode also features actor Guy Pearce, star of The Brutalist, and a panel on the winners of the National Board of Review and Independent Spirit nominations.
Variety's Awards Circuit podcast, hosted and produced by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, is your one-stop shop for lively conversations about the best in film and television. In each episode, Awards Circuit features interviews with top talent and creatives from film and television, discussions and debates about awards shows and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you download podcasts