Explore the INSIDE of the piano with two students of Ms. Clara, whose father was a piano manufacturer in 1970’s Hong Kong. Rehearsed via zoom during the summer of 2020, each player was filmed individually. The Piano, a play-movie is a testament of determination to have fun during COVID-19.
Written by Clara Hsu, The Piano is a fantasy-adventure theatrical play for the students of Clarion Summer Theater, 2020. Original music for the play was composed by Clara and her students.
Here’s a trailer of the play:
The Story
Kelly, Julia and Brenda are waiting to be picked up after their piano lessons. They gossip about their teacher Ms Clara, whose father was a piano manufacturer. As the children are clowning around Kelly warns that they should be careful, as Ms Clara said if they don’t sit up with proper posture they might get sucked into the piano. They all laugh at the absurdity of the idea, not realizing that the piano suddenly grows in size. Kelly and Julia disappear, leaving Brenda confused and scared.
Inside the piano, Kelly and Julia meet Mr. Hammer, Ms Strings and Mr. Ma, the piano manufacturer. They are taken to tour Mr. Ma’s factory in 1970’s Hong Kong. A philosophical discussion follows before the children must figure out how to get back to where they come from.
The Piano is produced as a testament of tenacity and creativity of the human spirit. It was so for Mr. Ma, the piano manufacturer. It is so today, for all of us in the time of Coronavirus.
The Cast
- Tiffany Li Older Girl / Hammer / Harmonic
- Kelly Zhen Kelly
- Jacy Wong Julia
- Margaret Chen Brenda / Hammer / Harmonic
- Victor Li Mr. Hammer
- Yvonne Yu Hammer / Harmonic
- Elita Ye Ms. Strings
- Nola Jesenko Steely
- Joyce Tang Copper
- Ronan Wong Mr. Ma
The Production Team
- Clara Hsu Writer, composer, producer and director
- Alex Law Choreographer
- Brent Benaway Artistic and video consultant, video editor
