By Kai Bisby
Photo by Stratton McCrady

The Joy of Art

The artist's life is not for the weak of heart or the dedication deficient. Long hours of practice, social retardation, and the possibility of never making a red cent are all the plight of the artist. Now you can experience the artist's predicament and development through the lives of two aspiring concert pianists in the acclaimed and hilarious musical comedy that has been seen around the world, 2 Pianos 4 Hands, running through Feb. 5 at the Laguna Playhouse (606 Laguna Canyon Rd.). Talented double threats Tom Frey and Richard Carsey take the stage, along with two pianos, and morph into a plethora of characters through 15 years of training in an attempt to fulfill the dream of becoming concert pianists. "I started out as a musician before I became an actor," explains Tom Frey, who shared his personal connection to the show. "I was on track in a certain point in my life with piano, but I did not have the emotional chops. I had a very bad break-up with the piano," Frey, who was divorced from the piano for 10 years, confesses. It was not until about a year before he joined 2 Pianos 4 Hands (over eight years ago) that he forced himself back in front of the ivories. "I love piano, and I had to try to play again," says Frey. "I had to go through all of these demons in order for me to do this in public again. And it was horrifying." Frey ties his own personal experience to that of the characters in the show. "The piece talks about how there is a little spark of a reason why people start to pursue their dreams. Hopefully it's for the joy of it." Frey goes on to say that as we grow, "it becomes about competition and the profession of it, and we lose the original idea -- the joy that it brings to you." Richard Carsey, who is the other two hands in the show, agrees. "Ultimately the show is about the joy of pursuing something that you love," states Carsey, who had aspirations himself of being a concert pianist. "The fact that there is work involved and that there can be disappointments involved shouldn't diminish the fact that whatever you do, whether it's sports, writing or music, whatever in the world speaks to you and the core of your personality, you should hold on to the joy of that. I hope people tune into the joy of the experience." For tickets or more information, call (949) 497-ARTS.