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 have made Wilson’s artful pieces timeless.
“August Wilson has this ability to tap into humanity itself,” Fisher says during this week’s episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast. “Even though he wrote this play in the 1980s about the 1930s, it feels like it’s speaking directly to us today. The family dynamics, the trauma, the way people are trying to figure out the path forward — it’s universal.” Listen below!
Directed by Malcolm Washington and featuring a powerhouse 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.
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“The Piano Lesson” brings cinematic life to Wilson’s stage-bound text, incorporating visual elements that expand the play’s scope while preserving its emotional core. Fisher praises Washington’s direction, describing him as “a human-focused individual” whose thoughtfulness shines.
Malcolm Washington and co-screenwriter Virgil Williams found a way to trim the play while keeping its spirit intact. Fisher tells Variety, “The film feels bigger. Even though most of the story takes place in one house, it still feels cinematic. It doesn’t let you turn away from the history and trauma these characters are confronting.”
This confrontation with the past is at the story’s heart for Fisher. “You can’t turn away from your history,” he says. “You can’t turn away from your trauma. It’ll keep following you like a ghost. Until you confront it — and that’s what this family has to do.”
Ray Fisher, “The Piano Lesson”
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Fisher plays Lyman, a gentle, earnest man seeking connection and stability in a world that often seems stacked against him. The character is a foil to John David Washington’s ambitious and headstrong Boy Willie. For Fisher, the key to playing Lyman was starting from a place of truth.
“Lyman is earnest to his core,” Fisher shares. “He’s not a hustler or a fast talker. He wants love, companionship, and a fresh start but doesn’t always have the vernacular or emotional tools to express that. He’s endured so much trauma, but he hasn’t let it harden him. That’s what I wanted to capture — someone who’s been through the wringer but still has this openness and curiosity about the world.”
Fisher credits August Wilson’s writing for creating a character who feels both specific and universal. “Wilson draws all his characters in such a full, three-dimensional way. You could side with anyone in this story. Depending on the day, you might agree with Berniece, or Boy Willie, or even Lyman,” he shares. “That’s the beauty of this piece. There’s no clear right or wrong answer about the family’s path forward.”
The emotional highlight of the film 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 raw vulnerability and shared pain.
“It’s such a powerful scene,” Fisher says. “You’ve got these four men bonded by their shared trauma and experiences, finding this connection through music. It’s almost like an exorcism — they’re letting out all the pain and weight they’ve been carrying. It’s a moment of healing and humanity that’s rare to see, especially in stories about Black men.”
Fisher recalls the electricity 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 out light and seemingly jovial, but as the song went on, you could see each man’s personal journey in how they sang and in their expressions. It was solemn, powerful, and deeply emotional. That moment is going to stick with people.”
Born in Maryland and raised in Camden County, N.J., Fisher grew up in a big family with five siblings. He credits his older brother for sparking his love of movies, which they often watched together during blockbuster marathons. In high school, Fisher discovered theater and began performing in musicals while working at a Cinemark concession stand, where he could watch films 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, being so close to the magic of Broadway while still trying to find my footing as an actor,” Fisher recalls. “I bartended for shows like ‘Fences’ with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, and that sense of community stuck with me. To fast-forward years later and be in an August Wilson piece with the Washington family — it feels like it’s 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 stays committed to telling diverse stories and confronting the truths of our history. There’s a lot of resistance right now, but storytellers have a responsibility to carry the torch and keep those stories alive.”
As for what’s next, Fisher is keeping busy with projects like a potential Broadway transfer of “Fetch Clay, Make Man. ” He’s also open to collaborating with the Washington family again. “If they call, I’m there,” he says with a smile.
At his core, Fisher is simply in love with art, and nothing will keep him away from it. Most importantly, he emphasizes the importance of staying active and involved. “We can’t just get angry; we have to get active. Get involved in your community. Stay vigilant. There’s always something you can do. I do this because I believe in the power of storytelling. It’s about keeping history alive, connecting with humanity, and moving us forward. That’s the gift of August Wilson — and I’m honored to be part of it.”
This episode also features actor Guy Pearce, the star of “The Brutalist,” as well as a Roundtable discussion of the winners of the National Board of Review and the Independent Spirit nominations.
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts