Music Men

Published: Wednesday, October 1, 1997

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.