2 Pianos, 4 Hands
Encyclopedia
2 Pianos, 4 Hands is a Canadian
musical comedy play, written and originally performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt
.
The two-actor play's central characters are Ted and Richard, two boys who each dream of becoming a famous classical pianist
. In the early scenes, each boy learns piano as a solo player, with the other actor taking on the role of the teacher or parent. In later scenes, as the two boys become older and begin competing in music festivals and auditioning for conservatories, they appear directly opposite each other as friends and competitors.
Music in the show includes classical pieces by Bach
and Beethoven, jazz standards and rock numbers.
2 Pianos, 4 Hands has played on 5 continents, in over 150 cities, to over 2 million people since it opened at the Tarragon Theatre (Toronto, Ontario) in April 1996. It is arguably one of the most successful plays in the history of Canadian theatre.
(Canadian National Award) for Playwriting in 1997.
American Theatre Magazine ranked 2 Pianos as one of the ten most-produced plays in the United States in 2003.
The play won the award for Outstanding Touring Productionby the Connecticut Theatre Critics Circle in 2006.
The play has been featured in many "Top 10 Productions of the Year" lists, including the New York Post
(Clive Barnes
, 1997).
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
musical comedy play, written and originally performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt
Richard Greenblatt (playwright)
Richard Greenblatt is a Canadian playwright who currently lives in Toronto. He is best known for 2 Pianos, 4 Hands, which he wrote and performed with Ted Dykstra....
.
The two-actor play's central characters are Ted and Richard, two boys who each dream of becoming a famous classical pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
. In the early scenes, each boy learns piano as a solo player, with the other actor taking on the role of the teacher or parent. In later scenes, as the two boys become older and begin competing in music festivals and auditioning for conservatories, they appear directly opposite each other as friends and competitors.
Music in the show includes classical pieces by Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
and Beethoven, jazz standards and rock numbers.
2 Pianos, 4 Hands has played on 5 continents, in over 150 cities, to over 2 million people since it opened at the Tarragon Theatre (Toronto, Ontario) in April 1996. It is arguably one of the most successful plays in the history of Canadian theatre.
Awards
The play won a Dora Award for Outstanding Production in 1996 and a Chalmers AwardFloyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award
The Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Awards were a Canadian literary award, given to Canadian plays produced by any professional Canadian theatre company, and having at least ten performances in the Toronto area....
(Canadian National Award) for Playwriting in 1997.
American Theatre Magazine ranked 2 Pianos as one of the ten most-produced plays in the United States in 2003.
The play won the award for Outstanding Touring Productionby the Connecticut Theatre Critics Circle in 2006.
The play has been featured in many "Top 10 Productions of the Year" lists, including the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
(Clive Barnes
Clive Barnes
Clive Alexander Barnes, CBE was a British-born American writer and critic. From 1965 to 1977 he was the dance and theater critic for the New York Times, the most powerful position he had held, since its theater critics' reviews historically have had great influence on the success or failure of...
, 1997).
External links
- 2 Pianos, 4 Hands
- Two Pianos Four Hands at the IOBDb: Promenade Theatre, NYCNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
; 231 performances (30 October 1997 – 10 May 1998).