Gifted (excerpt)

Synopsis:

It is almost 30 years since Jacob commanded the world’s stages.

As a pianist, a child prodigy, he knew enormous success, playing at the very highest level throughout the major centres of the world.

But then, as a young adult, he made a fatal error and, almost overnight, was no longer in demand.  His career came to a standstill.

But the discipline – the honing, the refining – never stopped, until finally, at what he now believes to be his peak as a concert pianist, he is about to stage a comeback:  A self-funded, all-Beethoven concert at Carnegie Hall before an audience of the world’s great musical luminaries.

The prospect of such a performance, however, is terrifying, and he enlists the aid of a therapist, Nathan, in order to help him meet the challenge.

As Nathan works to understand what it is that drives his patient, it begins to emerge that all is not as it seems.

In an extraordinary piece of music theatre, with two concert grands filling the stage, providing a live musical score throughout the entire play, we are brought to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of a human gift.

Character Breakdown:

A cast of four:  Two male, two female.

In addition, a male pianist in his teens.

Within the text, the pianist is referred to as the CHILD.

JACOB appears as both adult and child.  The vast difference in age can be realised by vocal technique, body language and the occasional prop (e.g. baseball cap).

At 70, GILDA wears a knitted cap, covering her entire scalp, as well as a worn bathrobe.

JACOB   50 & teens / MOVING-MAN  – one actor.

GILDA – JACOB’S mother, 30s & 70s / MOLLY  JACOB’S lover, 50 – one actor.

ZELIG – JACOB’S father, late 30s & 70s

JOSEPHINE – JACOB’S piano teacher, 30s & 70s

Setting

Two grand pianos, facing one another.

The play is set between 1969 and 2009.

Running-time: 130 minutes.

Production History: Not yet produced.

Excerpt available for download for free.