BWW Interviews: 2 Pianos, 4 Hands, 1 Interview

2 Pianos, 4 Hands (2P4H) got its start in Toronto nearly 15 years ago, and has been a much loved and cherished piece ever since. This weekend the show returns home for the first time in eight years, and will play The Panasonic Theatre until November 20th, 2011.

The warm and funny musical was conceived by Ted Dyskstra and Richard Greenblatt, and tells the story of two lifetime obsessions with 88 piano keys. The show opened to critical acclaim in 1996 at The Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, where it won a Dora Award and quickly cemented its place as one of the most successful Canadian plays of all time. Since then, it has played on five continents, in over 150 cities and to over two million people.

BWW had the chance to sit down and talk with both Ted and Richard about finally bringing the show home to Toronto, the mass appeal of the production and the state of Canadian musical theatre going into 2012:

Congratulations on bringing 2P4H back to Toronto! This show has had a few very successful incarnations over the years, what made you decide to bring it back now?

Thank you. Marquis Entertainment has been handling the management of 2P4H practically from inception, and they came to us with an offer we found hard to refuse. Ever since visiting Japan in 2004 there has been talk of returning and that has finally come to fruition. We also wanted to play Toronto one last time and see if any other theatres were interested - hence we are going to the NAC in Ottawa in January and then back to Japan in May. Also, there is a whole new generation that can see the show, Ted's kids included, plus all those people who never got the chance to see it or have already seen it and want to see it again.

This time around the show is playing at The Panasonic, a venue very different than some of the larger ones the show has been at in the past (such as The Royal Alex). Do you think it plays better in a smaller and more intimate venue?

This is a show that translates well in every space but certainly one that is a bit smaller (700 seats) means there is an added intimacy for the audience. It was as successful at The Royal Alex (1500 seats) as it was at The Tarragon (200 seats) where it all began.

Have you tweaked or changed the show at all over the years?

There hasn't really been a need. The story is specific and translates to all sorts of human endeavours: mastering an instrument, a sport, really anything where you work to achieve a certain level of ability. You may not have gotten as far as you would have liked, but you're a heck of a lot better off than you would have been if you never tried at all. T he skill is fulfilling even if you're jus the ‘best in the neighbourhood.'

Some of the music in the pop section has changed to suit the venue (we added a popular Japanese folk song when we played in Japan) but really the show has remained basically the same.

The show has been a commercial success around the world, translated into many different languages and performed in many different countries. What is it about the show that allows it to have such a mass appeal? Have you ever tried to mount a production somewhere and been met with resistance?

No. Every country has embraced the show in very similar ways. It seems the issues we address ring true in other countries as well. There really hasn't been a production that has failed - and now we maintain a quality control on when and where and how the show is done.

You have both had distinguished and varied careers, do you approach the piece differently now than you might have when you first started?

Not really. There is certainly an added confidence and relaxation that comes with age, experience and having the show so many times since the beginning though.

The show features the work of many prominent musicians and artists - can either of you pick a favourite piece? Or one which you find the most challenging?

There are several pieces that pose different challenges. We play a Mozart duet in which we are essentially beating each other up while we play and hopefully not missing a beat. Richard plays Levenda by Albeniz which is a very precise and difficult piece, originally written for the guitar, and I spend time working on the Mephisto Waltz by Frank Liszt. The most challenging and complete piece of the show really is the Bach D Minor Concerto, First Movement, which we play together at the end of the show. We share the playing of the orchestra and solo parts throughout the whole piece and most challenging of all, we play it from memory!

It has been an exciting year for Canadian musical theatre, with many successful productions in Toronto, a Stratford production bound for Broadway and a new Canadian sit down production of Le Miserables just announced. Do you think we are seeing a shift in the musical theatre industry away from US based and produced productions? A shift which might return Toronto to its rightful place on the world stage?

We would hope so. It would be great if larger scale Canadian musicals would be encouraged and supported here.

Speaking of the exciting year we have had, 2012 arguably gives Toronto even more to look forward to! Is there one production you are most excited or intrigued by?

Whatever show we happen to be working on!

Finally, for a younger audience who may be unfamiliar with either your individual work or the show, what would you say to encourage them to come out and see it?

The show deals a lot with youth struggles - and in a (mostly) comedic way. There are scenes where parents bully kids to practice, and sometimes the kids get the best of their parents too! The message here is that you're not alone; we all share a common story. Whether it be about practicing, hockey, homework - everyone can relate to and appreciate the message of this show.

When and Where?
2 Pianos, 4 Hands
The Panasonic Theatre

Performance Schedule:

October 29th - November 20th 2011
Wed-Sat at 8PM
Wed, Sat and Sun at 2PM

Tickets range from $39 to $74 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-872-1212 or online at www.mirvish.com/twopianosfourhands

For more information you can also visit the show's official website at www.2pianos4hands.com

 

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