Nathan Alford-Tate Stars in The Piano Lesson

The Piano Lesson by August Wilson is a powerful story about family, history, and legacy. Set in 1936 Pittsburgh, it follows siblings Boy Willie and Berniece as they struggle over a family piano carved with the faces and stories of their enslaved ancestors. Boy Willie wants to sell it to buy land and build a future, while Berniece believes the piano must be kept as a reminder of their family’s past and sacrifices. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1990, The Piano Lesson challenges us to think about how we honor where we come from while still moving forward.

Making his Detroit Repertory Theatre debut, it's Nathan Alford-Tate as Lymon!

Nathan Alford-Tate (Lymon) has been a professional actor for 10 years. He graduated from Detroit School of Arts before going on to obtain his BFA in Acting from Western Michigan University and MFA in Devised Performance from the University of Arts. Nathan is making his Detroit Rep debut. Previous roles include Balin/Ensemble in The Hobbit and Cat/Ensemble in Pinocchio at the Arden Theatre Co., Posthumous/Ensemble in Cymbeline at the Delaware Shakespeare Theatre, and King George/Ensemble in The American Revolution at Theatre Unspeakable.

We are so proud of our own Nathan Alford! Detroit please go out and support. The play runs from January 9 - March 15, 2026.

Lineage: Nathan is the son of April Alford-Baker; Grandson of George Alford and Lorraine Hudson,

Great-Grandson of Major "Datie" Alford, Sr. and Savernia Fields-Alford; and Great-Great-Grandson of Matthew Solomon Alford and Minnie Jennings-Alford.