When Caitriona Murphy steps on stage for The Piano Teacher — a critically acclaimed Arts Club production that lands in Coquitlam next week — she couples her two loves: acting and music therapy.
Murphy, an accredited music therapist who now works on a casual basis at the Dr. Peter Centre as well as the Vancouver Native Health Society, takes on the role of the piano teacher and matchmaker in the play penned by Dorothy Dittrich.
“I really feel like I’m combining my two passions,” the east Vancouver resident said. “It’s a very, very touching play that brings a lot of healing with music.”
Murphy, Megan Leitch and Kamyar Pazandeh, who debuted The Piano Teacher last spring for the Arts Club Theatre, are reprising their characters for the tour that started Oct. 4 in North Vancouver and ends Nov. 6 in Vernon.
Murphy said the three actors wanted to give the show another go because “it’s a new play and new plays take a while to really understand. The first time around, you’re trying to get it right and there’s a lot of learning and preparation but now, we are settling into it and understanding it more.”
The Piano Teacher follows the story of Erin (portrayed by Leitch), a concert pianist who hasn’t touched the instrument since her husband died. But as Elaine (Murphy) coaxes Erin out of her shell, she also introduces her to her contractor Tom (Pazandeh) and romance blooms between the pair.
The winner of last year’s Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Original Script, The Piano Teacher is co-directed for the tour by Scott Bellis and Rachel Ditor.
“I have been a fan of Dorothy’s storytelling for many years,” Ditor said in a press release. “She has such insight about the role of music in our lives and its miraculous ability to change us.”
For tickets to The Piano Teacher at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam), call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
