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August 1, 2005
-- Play review --
A big hand for '2 Pianos'
By Teague Neal
The
many young people across the globe who are shoved into piano lessons may
recognize the obsessed parents and terrorizing teachers portrayed with humor in
“2 Pianos 4 Hands” in a recent traveling production at The Hartford Stage.
The
play, which got its start in
The
script features two hours of slapstick and classical music, which don’t
usually mix.
Right
from the start, when the two pianists start plunking on their pianos but stop
repeatedly to adjust their benches, the audience is laughing out loud.
And
the laughs keep coming.
In
the second act, for example, a spinning, shimmering disco ball is suddenly
lowered and as the lights swirl around the theater, the actor dances about like
a banshee.
In
the background of the stage are two large shadow screens that often change into
a rainbow of colors as the pianos are played.
In
a creative use of the screens, the two piano prodigies are reprimanded by
shadowy figures of parents golfing or mothers scolding to keep their bums
planted on the piano bench and practice for hours.
The
actors, portraying young prodigies, keep coming up with excuses to scoot away
and relieve their fatigued fingers.
At
times the musical interludes in the show can get lengthy. They’d be better
suited for a traditional piano concert.
And
parts of the slapstick can get tiring, too.
But if you’re ready for a new way of looking at the drudgery of piano practice, it’s worth catching this entertaining production.
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