Matthew McGloin and Adam LaSalle as dueling musicians in “2 Pianos 4 Hands” at Northlight Theatre (Photo by Liz Lauren).
Highly Recommended
It’s a play. It’s a concert. It’s a little bit of both. Recently extended until August 11, 2024, “2 Pianos 4 Hands” is a satisfying romp through the lives of two ambitious musicians who long for stardom in a highly competitive industry.
Actors/musicians Adam LaSalle as Ted and Mathew McGloin as Richard, play a range of characters in this humorous, entertaining and poignant show. What they have in common is their quest for excellence on the keys.
The characters tell stories of pushy parents, maniacal teachers, and challenging professionals who bar their entry for further training.
In one scene, they’re both music students competing with each other for the top prize. In another, they act as piano teachers, complete with Italian and French accents.
In another scene, they play parents on both sides of the spectrum. One encourages his son to practice 30 minutes a day. The other criticizes his son for the amount of time he spends practicing at the risk of a normal childhood.
As someone who took piano lessons for many years, the play took me back to the long days of practicing scales and arpeggios, with hands cupped in the right position. And, banging on the piano when I couldn’t get it right, just like they did.
“2 Pianos 4 Hands” includes a treasure trove of classical music from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart as well as popular hits by Billy Joel, Elton John and John Lennon.
Luckily for the audience, their mastery of the piano is over-the-top and we get treated to an outstanding performance.
Written by Richard Greenblatt and Ted Dykstra, the show was directed by veteran actor/director Rob Lindley who says, “Sometimes you must adjust your dreams, never giving up on them. Be the best you can be today and keep working to be better.”
The play was originally produced in 1994 with the authors performing in their respective roles for more than 30 years. “2 Pianos 4 Hands” is simply timeless.
Details: “2 Pianos 4 Hands” is at the Northlight Theatre in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. For tickets and information, visit Northlight Theatre | 2 Pianos 4 Hands or call the box office at (847) 673-6300.
Mira Temkin
For more shows visit Theatre In Chicago.