by Pat Lindsey Have you ever watched someone...
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“2 Pianos 4 Hands” is a Hands-Down Unique Theatrical Experience
by Pat Lindsey
Have you ever watched someone perform on a stage and wonder how in the world can one person possess so much talent? In “2 Pianos 4 Hands,” two men mesmerize The Rep audience as piano virtuosos and seasoned actors.
For nearly two hours, Richard Todd Adams and Matthew McGoin masterfully play multiple character roles and play two Steinways with precision at breakneck speed. If t wasn’t so entertaining, it would be exhausting to watch these two geniuses share their exceptional talents.
The stage set for this show is merely two Steinway grand pianos and two big picture frames. When theshow begins, you might think you’re about to see something like a Penn & Teller act. The two men take their place at their respective keyboards and then proceed to trade pianos and communicate
without ever saying a word. Once they begin speaking, however, they rarely stop.
They play classical pieces and transform themselves into a variety of characters. If you’ve ever taken piano lessons, you’ll easily identify with some of their antics, frustrations, musical vocabulary and piano teachers.
“2 Pianos 4 Hands” has been regarded as one of Canada’s most successful stage plays in history. It premiered in 1996 and has been produced worldwide for 30 years. It is loosely based on the artistic journeys of two young men, Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt, who met in Canada while perfecting their art of composing music and playing piano. Richard Todd Adams plays Ted Dykstra and Matthew
McGoin plays Richard Greenblatt.
Both actors are accomplished pianists and stage and TV actors.
Adams holds a Masters of Music degree from The Juilliard School. Among his many claims to fame is being one of Madison Square Garden’s national anthem singers. McGoin is currently performing in his tenth production of “2 Pianos 4 Hands.” In addition to a long list of theater performances, his TV credits include “Law & Order,” “Power: Origins,” “Primal Instinct,” and “The Food That Built\ America.”
The show takes us on a journey from the time the two men were young boys taking piano lessons to the point in their lives when they ask themselves if they are good enough to be concert pianists. Sometimesthat question is answered by an insensitive teacher or parent who tells them they are good, but maybe
not good enough. Adams and McGoin often change characters in silhouette behind the framed screen.
Without changing costumes, they use only a few props to change their appearance. The music they play ranges from Bach’s ‘Concerto in D minor’ to Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ with Beethoven, Chopin, Duvernoy, Grieg, Liszt, Mozart, Schubert, Carmichael, and Rogers & Hart in between. Their joyful performance of ‘Chopsticks’ puts a smile on everyone’s face.
The Rep’s production of “2 Pianos 4 Hands,” directed by Tom Frey, and the two phenomenal actors who bring this show to life deserve an enthusiastic standing ovation and a ‘Bravo!’ shout-out. I rarely use the word ‘unique,’ but I think I can say that no one has ever seen a show like this. It is truly
phenomenally unique!
“2 Pianos 4 Hands” will be performed at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis from Oct. 7 – 25. For tickets, call the box office at 314-968-4925 or visit it in person Wed.-Fri. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. (or two hours before each scheduled performance) or by going to www.repstl.org. You’ll enjoy being part of The Rep’s 60th anniversary celebration while having a unique theatrical experience—hands down.
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