Plot
In 1911, Boy Charles, father to Boy Willie and Berniece, steals the piano from the Sutter family, the former enslavers of the Charles family. The piano, intricately carved with faces of African ancestors, represents the family’s heritage and resilience. After giving his family a head start, Boy Charles attempts to flee via train boxcar. The Sutters catch up to him and burn the boxcar with him trapped inside.
In 1936, Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh with his friend Lymon, hauling a truckload of watermelons. James Sutter was murdered by being pushed down the well, and the Sutter family offered Boy Willie part of their Mississippi farmland as reparations for his father's death, and so Boy Willie is determined to sell the piano to purchase the last of the land. However, Berniece, who lives in Pittsburgh with her young daughter Maretha and their uncle Doaker, refuses to part with the piano, seeing it as a sacred artifact of their family history and a reminder of their struggles. Now dating local preacher Avery, Berniece is still estranged from Boy Willie after he and Lymon were involved in stealing wood that led to the death of her husband Crawley.
The siblings’ arguments bring to light the piano’s significance to their lives. Berniece insists on preserving the piano as a memorial, although she still resents when her mother forced her to play the piano against her will. Boy Willie views its sale as a means to reclaim their family’s autonomy. However he is still haunted from his father's words about the importance of owning his own land. Another uncle, Wining Boy, visits the family and laments his glory days.
Supernatural elements intensify the drama as Sutter's ghost begins to haunt the Charles household, particularly Berniece and Maretha. Berniece attributes the ghost’s presence to Boy Willie’s arrival and his disruptive intentions regarding the piano, as well as her suspicions that he killed Sutter. Boy Willie, however, disregards his sister's claims. Meanwhile, Lymon, seeking a fresh start, begins to develop feelings for Berniece.
Sutter's manifestations intensify, and his ghost attacks Boy Willie. Avery attempts to exorcise the house to no avail. Berniece decides to play the piano for the first time in years, calling upon her ancestors to exorcise Sutter's ghost and save her brother. Boy Willie, now believing his sister and reaching an understanding with her, advises her to continue playing the piano.
Boy Willie abandons his plans to sell the piano, and Berniece begins teaching Maretha how to play it. Boy Willie returns one last time to the Sutter farmland, now on public sale after failing to purchase it, and grasps the dirt like his father taught him before departing.
