2 Pianos 4 Hands

The play's title, 2 Pianos, 4 Hands, may initially seem unusual, but the reference is immediately apparent for those familiar with classical music and music books. Originally written and performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt, the play is loosely based on their lives and follows two young aspiring boys, Ted and Richard, in their quest to become famous classical pianists. The play was named by Dykstra, part of a talented duo that included Greenblatt, who mentioned that it's an impossible show to describe before seeing the production. The play shares gripping stories of relentless practice sessions, overbearing parents, the challenges of navigating eccentric teachers, and the passionate dreams of young concert pianists on their journey to Carnegie Hall or their deepest fears, and haunting nightmares or relentless torment of being unable to possess innate talent, becoming just another teacher to an eventual timeless genius. Greenblatt describes himself and Dykstra as piano players who actually don't play piano. However, Adam LaSalle (Ted) and Matthew McGloin (Richard), with their timely comedic wit, show exceptional piano skills, which is evident in their performances in the Northlight Theatre production of 2 Pianos, 4 Hands. Their captivating chemistry on stage adds to the exhilaration as they perfectly combine their outstanding musical skills while portraying dozens of characters.

2P4H (the abbreviated name given by Greenblatt) is a captivating musical journey that highlights music from famous composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, and Bach. It brilliantly takes us through the Western music notes—C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, plus five flats and equivalent sharps in between C sharp/D flat, D sharp/E flat, F sharp/G flat, G sharp/A flat, and A sharp/B. The two performers delighted the audience by showcasing various musical styles, including well-known classical pieces, popular tunes, and jazz. Their set list even included one of my favorites, the sentimental song "My Funny Valentine."

LaSalle and McGloin's superb performance in 2 Pianos 4 Hands truly showcases their exceptional talents and piano proficiency. They captivate the audience with their instrument mastery and timely comedic wit. Their chemistry on stage adds to the exhilaration, making it a must-see musical experience! Due to high ticket demand, the performance has already been extended to August 11. Given the exceptional performance we observed, we can anticipate another extension.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Northlight Theatre

2 Pianos 4 Hands

By Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt

Directed by Rob Lindley

Playing Now - August 11, 2024

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