Wednesday, October 1, 1997
Music Men
THEATER: Hal Robinson and Justin Kirk play teacher and student
in ‘Old Wicked Songs’ at the Geffen Playhouse
By Cheryl Klein
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The small Geffen Playhouse’s newest production boasts an even
smaller cast.
Two, to be precise.
Justin Kirk plays 25-year-old pianist Stephen Hoffman opposite
Hal Robinson’s Professor Mashkan in "Old Wicked Songs," which began
previews Tuesday.
The mischievous title hints at what makes the sparsely cast play
an emotional journey for characters and audience alike.
"The music is really the third character in the play," Robinson
says.
The old wicked song in question is part of "Dichterliebe," a
German song cycle whose rough translation plays heavily into the
plot. Stephen Hoffman, a former child prodigy, is burned out
artistically. Attempting to rediscover his initial fascination with
music, he travels to Vienna to study with a famous piano teacher.
Instead he gets Professor Mashkan, a voice instructor who, Robinson
says, "is shut down on almost every level imaginable. Social,
economic – every way except for music. Music is the passion – the
only passion – he has left."
The unlikely pair embarks on what is perhaps a slightly more
academic and theatrical version of the archetypal rookie-mentor
flick. Between the intricate notes of Robert Schumann’s
compositions, they battle their own demons and, not surprisingly,
learn as much about friendship as music.
"The song is about taking all the bad things that have happened
to you in your life along with all the love that you’ve had,"
Robinson says. "Putting them all into your pocket, letting go of
the past."
If Professor Mashkan’s surly codgerdom counters his student’s
youthful angst, Robinson’s quiet thoughtfulness compliments Kirk’s
jovial sarcasm. After performing side by side in "Old Wicked
Songs’" off-Broadway run, the two banter easily, intimately
familiar with their characters.
And what are those characters like?
"I’ll tell you about him," Robinson begins. "He can tell you
about me."
Kirk emits a boisterous laugh and says to his co-star, "Oh no.
We tried this before. It didn’t work. You were very eloquent and I
couldn’t come up with anything smart."
Kirk is quick to dismiss lofty artistic theories – for example,
the possibility of reaching out to the Stephen Hoffmans in the
audience. ("That’s why I’m doing this," Kirk jokes. "To help the
child prodigies out there.")
Yet there is probably a reason for artists to continue to create
works about creating artwork. There are musicals about actors and
movies about writers and songs about painters. Perhaps even the
artists themselves can’t help but be fascinated by the gifts that
spark so much misery and mystery.
"I think that in any creative endeavor, that is a universal
thing: finding your process and dealing with the times when you
question that (your talent) is there," Kirk confesses.
The process evolves, both actors affirm, even after months of
rehearsal and a successful New York run. After a brief hiatus,
Robinson and Kirk had a week to adapt "Old Wicked Songs" for the
Geffen’s noticeably narrower and deeper stage. And – with the help
of playwright Jon Marans and director Seth Barrish – they also
deepened the subtext of the play.
"Those directors and writers can’t help but try to keep
improving all the time, even after seven months," Kirk says with
mock exasperation. "But it’s good. We’re exploring ways for the arc
to be curvier."
Here Robinson actually does speak of Kirk’s character. "I think
(Stephen) just doesn’t reveal as much," Robinson says. "But as an
actor, your body and your emotional makeup is your instrument and
you’re not at the same place you were a year ago or six months
ago."
"And you always want to go, ‘Oh, man, I was good in this before
and I just want to try and hit that again,’" Kirk adds. "And you
can’t. You have to just be honest about where you are. Cliche
Acting 101, but that’s really the essence of the whole thing."
Yet both actors’ prestigious backgrounds can’t hurt. Robinson
sang "Dichterliebe" 30 years ago and learned the piano
accompaniment.
"A friend of mine who was going to direct (the world premiere of
‘Songs’) in Philadelphia called me and said, ‘I’m directing this
play and there’s a wonderful part that you’re perfect for. Do you
by any chance play the piano?’" Robinson recalls. It was only after
receiving the script that he discovered the music in the play was
"Dichterliebe."
And Kirk? Well, Kirk plays the guitar. And just like Professor
Mashkan, Robinson is ready to ensure that those talents surface.
"He’s very modest about his musical background, but yes, he is a
musician," Robinson says.
"Old Wicked Songs" may bring out everyone’s inner musician – or
at least that part of the brain that feels passionate when a
favorite song comes on the radio or the orchestra ends an evening
with a stunning crescendo. And, as "Dichterliebe" preaches, leave
all other baggage at the door.
"There are audience members who come up to us after the show,"
Kirk says. "This piece of music means a lot to a lot of
people."
THEATER: "Old Wicked Songs" is currently in previews at the
Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave. For information, call
310-208-5454.
"Old Wicked Songs" showcases the artistry of just a two-person
cast. The play is currently in previews at the Geffen
Playhouse.
There is probably
a reason for artists
to continue to create works about
creating artwork.