Theatre lovers will learn important life lessons from the acclaimed play The Piano Teacher at the Chemainus Theatre Festival.
This Governor General’s award-winning play promises to strike a chord while delving into loss, love, friendship, and the healing power of music.
Dorothy Dittrich, who has been a playwright for more than two decades and now calls the valley her home, brings arts enthusiasts a script that critics have called a beautiful meditation on grief, loss, and the healing power of music.
"The subject of grief struck me as one that isn't often given centre stage," said Dittrich. "I wanted to bring grief forward to be seen and shared, accepted and ultimately healed and I wanted to talk about music, friendship and connection as ways to move forward."
Dittrich not only received the Governor General’s award last April in the English-Language drama category for her play she was also honoured with the Jessie Richardson Award for outstanding original script.
"Winning the Governor General's Award was and continues to be an extraordinary experience. It is deeply and profoundly meaningful and I believe I'm still learning what it means," said Dittrich. "Simply said, the award has been life changing, and is an incredible honour. Winning the Jessie Richardson Award was fabulous because the award came from my community and so it was wonderful to be recognized by my peers. It felt like the play was celebrated by people I know and work with."
Rebecca De Boer makes her Chemainus Theatre debut as classical pianist Erin who, after experiencing a devastating family tragedy, finds herself unable to play music, or even touch a piano. Navigating through the traumatic loss of the life she once knew, she meets unconventional piano teacher Elaine, who gives her new hope for the future. Rounding out the story is a contractor, Tom, played by Victor Hunter, who is happy to return to the Chemainus Theatre for this touching story as his character brings a new perspective, and love of music into the equation.
Director Sarah Rodgers, who is originally from Nova Scotia and graduated from UBC with her Masters of Fine Arts in Directing in 2003, feels fortunate to have been directing continuously ever since. Now living in east Vancouver she is thrilled to be returning to Chemainus Theatre to direct The Piano Teacher. This is her first time back since turning up the heat with her masterful storytelling in last year's production of Gaslight.
"It feels like coming home to my happy place," said Rodgers. "I just love this theatre company and this sweet town. Gasliight was a gift, and this feels like another beautiful gift."
Rodgers and Erin Ormond who played Elizabeth in Gaslight have had the pleasure of working together multiple times before. Rodgers said it always feels like no time has passed when the two are back together. In The Piano Teacher Ormond will be sitting on the bench as the unconventional piano teacher Elaine.
"Erin is one of my favourite actors to direct," said Rodgers. "It is always special for a director and actor to collaborate when you come back. We've grown not only a friendship but also a beautiful relationship between an actor and director."
Rounding out the creative team who brings the magic of a symphony to this production is Hans Saefkow as set designer, Hannah Case as costume designer, and Harika Xu as lighting designer. Managing the stage will be Gina Moe, assisted by apprentice stage manager Lourdes’s Sumners, while Dittrich will also lend her talents to sound design.
The writer and director collaboration for this play is absolutely kismet, not only did Rodgers direct the original workshop production of The Piano Teacher at the Arts Club as a staged reading for its first public performance through their series called the ReAct Festival, Dittrich is also her daughter's piano teacher.
"It's been a gift to collaborate with Dorothy Dittrich," said Rodgers. "Dorothy and I go way back, I had the great honour to be an actor in, as well as workshop some of her earlier plays. It's amazing to think that this play has gone on to have many mountings and to win a Governor General's Award. Now, here I am able to direct a full production of it and bring it from the page to the stage. This really is a full circle moment for me."
This moving story is recommended for audiences aged 13 and over as there will be some mature language and scenes that discuss death. The Piano Teacher is on stage with the Chemainus Theatre Festival from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20. Tickets start at $22 and are available online at chemainustheatre.ca or by calling the box office at 250-246-9820.
"The story is about a woman moving through something incredibly difficult with the help of a couple of friends, music, laughter and courage, but there are also other forms of grief being told through each character," said Dittrich. "I hope people will see something of themselves in the characters onstage and I would like people to leave the theatre feeling hopeful — perhaps clearer that there is great healing power in music and friendship."
"On the surface the subject matter of this beautiful piece is grieving but really this play is about healing," said Rodgers. "It's about transformation, and it's about friendship. That's the joy and the gift for us to work on, and for the audiences to receive."
