John David Washington On What He Has Learned From His Father Denzel Washington
John David Washington, the son of legendary actor Denzel Washington, is making his Broadway debut in August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. The play also stars Samuel L. Jackson and is directed by his wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson. The 38-year-old recently opened up about following in his dad’s footsteps.
According to PEOPLE, at a Wednesday (Sept. 7) press conference, the Oscar nominee said, "Am I nervous when [my father is] watching me on stage? I don't know yet. Maybe. I might not even be thinking about it because I'm thinking about the notes from my director. I don't know if I have time to be nervous about what he thinks."
When asked what he learned from his 67-year-old father, who won a Tony for Fences in 2010, he said, "The freedom to fail, to find out, flourish in that failure. In that being uncomfortable, you'll find the greatest parts of yourself as an artist."
As for the grind of Broadway, Washington explained, "I'm having a good time, but — like I said before — it feels like training camp. These hours you put in, and just drilling it, you know? There's a saying I go by: 'Averages practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.' So what does getting it right mean? It means the truth of it. To tell [my performance] fully and truthfully within the rules of the great writer August Wilson."
The Piano Lessons begins performances at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Sept. 19 and officially opens Oct. 13.
