by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt
The Royal Alexandra Theatre from July to September 5, 1998
A Stage Door Review by Jim Lingerfelt and Roger Kershaw

2 Pianos, 4 Hands comes home

The award-winning 2 Pianos, 4 Hands (or 2P4H as it is widely known) which triumphed in Toronto, in every major Canadian city, and has conquered New York (playing for over six months at the prestigious Promenade Theatre on Broadway) and Washington (at the Kennedy Centre), returned home to Toronto on July 28, 1998 for a six-week engagement until September 5, 1998 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
2 Pianos, 4 Hands is produced by David & Ed Mirvish and directed by Gloria Muzio, whose New York credits include Other People's Money, Below the Belt and Grace and Glorie and is about a lifetime's obsession with 88 piano keys. Stars Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt recreate the memories of youthful piano-study, exams, Kiwanis competitions to their love-hate relationship with practicing. And, though self-deprecating, they provide superb musicianship on a pair of grand pianos, with music ranging from "In My Little Birch Canoe" to Bach, Schubert and Mozart. The show has an interesting pedigree that was born at the innovative Tarragon Theatre (Toronto) in March 1996. The original production proved a phenomenon and won a well-deserved 1996 Dora Mavor Moore Award for outstanding production. This present incarnation is the even more polished result that wowed them on Broadway and proved, yet again, that Canadian theatrical talent is alive and well and living south of the 49th parallel. After the current Royal Alex engagement, 2 Pianos, 4 Hands will begin a 45-week American tour. The show's British premiere is scheduled for January 1999 at Birmingham Rep, before transferring to London's West End.
Dykstra and Greenblatt are quite a duo, Ted (Shaw and Stratford Festival alumnus) being a little more proficient in the comedic acting department with Richard's talent (RADA-trained) on the piano outshining that of his hysterical sidekick just a tad. Their respective gifts provide a wonderfully rich tapestry of music, laughter and bittersweet moments that will linger long in your memory. The naysayers who spout "a play about kids' music lessons!" really don't know what they are missing. Quite frankly, this endearing play bought back floods of memories from these reviewers' respective childhoods. The music theory, the sight-reading, the closeted sports-deprived children, their parents who thought little Johnny should be a concert pianist…it's all there, and brought back vividly to life on the stage. This is a real look into the painful hours of practice and dedication demanded, the sacrifices of their young lives, and the intense competition between students as they struggle through the classes and instructors that eventually lead to the bitter recognition that Vladimir Horowitz they will never be.
The collaboration between the stars, the director and a wonderful design team ensure a spit-and-polish production worthy of any stage in the world. Lighting star (and Tony-winner) Tharon Mussser ensures the stage is magnificently illuminated and in particular the pianos. His evocative work makes these magnificent instruments all the more alluring.
Go and see 2 Pianos, 4 Hands before it finishes September 5,1998. The evening's entertainment can be enjoyed by all, both those instrumentally inclined, and those who just enjoy a good listen to a tinkle on the ivories. Playing at The Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. West. For tickets ($21.50 to $46.50), call (416) 872-1212.