Actors and fine pianists Darren Dunstan (Ted) and Christopher Tocco (Richard) take us on a journey about life in general. This particular journey just happens to include the path of music and an instrument and its meaning to them and their families. It could really be about any desire we reach for: sports, racing, creating, anything. The interesting lesson here is how common the frustrations, love and interventions of family and friends flood the plots of life and our reaching success.
“2 Pianos 4 Hands” is an award winning piece of work by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. It features two talented actors and musicians playing two grand pianos with virtuoso quality, intertwining fine acting to show us their childhood, adolescence and adulthood. These two play all the roles and the pianos including everything from Chopsticks, Bach, Beethoven to Janis Joplin and Jerry Lee Lewis. Tom Frey directs with a well-timed hand and keeps the two on course.
Well-placed lighting and clever scenic design by Steve Lucas keeps things interesting with first-rate sound by Brendan Aanes.
“2 Pianos 4 Hands” is for any parent or relative who has been involved with piano or music lessons at one time or another.
My strongest memory of piano lessons is when I took them at McGill University in Montreal, Canada from a lovely mature teacher: Mr. Stewart. He had a heart attack during one of my lessons and I’ve never gotten over the possibility that my playing may have contributed to his situation. He recovered and I quit taking piano lessons.
Where: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Through: Feb. 15
Tickets and information: Call (650) 463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org.
