2 PIANOS 4 HANDS Kicks Off Stages Rep's 2012-13 Season Tonight, 9/5

Locals may best know Canada's exports in the oil and gas
industry, in agriculture, and certainly maple syrup. In the
entertainment sector we certainly love Martin Short or want to marry Ryan Gosling, but arguably the most successful Canadian export in entertainment is the international phenomenon 2 Pianos 4 Hands which, since its fledgling workshop days in 1994, has seen productions all over the world.

Houston will be experiencing 2 Pianos 4 Hands for the first time at Stages this fall. Actor and director Tom Frey describes the piece as "a recital interupted by a play," a piece that is not a concert, not a musical, it is a piece of theatre with music. Who can relate to this story of artists, dreaming of stardom, who find that they do not measure up by the slightest degree to other performers destined for greatness? Creator Richard Greenblatt (of a team with Ted Dykstra) spoke to this point by saying that they knew it was a great story, a universal story, when people began coming backstage to tell their own stories, and not just of music or art, "[My friend] always thought he was going to be a tennis pro, but he didn't make it. He said ever scene in the play had an equivalent in tennis. It seems like everybody relates to it in that way. If you figure-skated or did ballet, the situation's the same."

2 Pianos 4 Hands is the riotous tale of two real boys, Ted and Richard, in Canada sharing the same goal: concert pianist stardom. They work fervently towards their dream amidst pushy parents, eccentric teachers, hours of repetitive practice, stage fright, the agony of competitions and the dream of greatness.

Two actors, two pianos and many, many characters grace the stage as fifteen years of learning the art of piano playing unfolds. From classical to pops to jazz, the play provides the chance for two performers to give their all in a 120-minute virtuoso performance. Along the journey the actors/pianists portray a dazzling range of characters embellished with a show of piano wizardry featuring the music of Bach, Beethoven and Jerry Lee Lewis.

In the beginning, the actors take turns playing child versions of each character while the other assumes the role of the teacher, the adjudicator, the parent. As "friendly" competitors nearing their teens they face off at various festivals – experiencing stage fright and the dread of losing to eight year old prodigies. And as young adults, their eyes open to new ideas and influences. Gradually their piano playing and perspectives on the world evolves. From The Birch Canoe they move to auditioning for Conservatories, playing the music of classical and jazz masters, facing conflicts with their parents, and, well, at least thinking about the opposite sex...

And as they mature, Ted and Richard become more aware of the gap between the very good and the great, and come to the humbling realization that greatness may be out of reach. And there lies the universal plight of all those with an ounce of training and talent and the will to "be" a professional musician, or athlete, or actor or dancer.

2 Pianos 4 Hands captures the humour that comes with learning to play the piano, and the sense of loss of eventually learning to let go of the dream.

Stages’ Regional Premiere of 2 PIANOS 4 HANDS by Richard Greenblatt & Ted Dykstra, directed by Tom Frey and starring Tom Frey and Jeffrey Rockwell runs tonight, September 5 - October 28, 2012. Previews September 5, 6 at 7:30pm. Press Opening Friday September 7, 2012*. Post show dialogue with artistic team Sunday September 9, 2012.

The show plays the following schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays 7:30 PM; Fridays & Saturdays 8:00 PM; and Sundays 3:00 PM at Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway (one block west of Waugh Dr.) Theatre entrance on Rosine St. (Parking available on D’Amico).

Tickets start at $21. Group rates also available (via box office 713.527.0123): Wed-Thu groups of 6+; Fri-Sun group of 10+. Call the box office at 713.527.0123 or visit in person at 3201 Allen Parkway near Waugh Drive. Tickets available online at www.stagestheatre.com.

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