...And Piano Make Three
Music & Libretto by Philip Seward
Developed with coloratura soprano Patrice Boyd
...Sarah is in love with Richard, but as she sits in her Manhattan apartment contemplating that fact she becomes increasingly frustrated. Richard is in love with his nine-foot Steinway, Elsie. Sarah always knew she wanted a man who played the piano, but after a year’s time, she still cannot get him to take her out on a real date. Although she would much prefer a romantic dinner in the Rainbow Room — a legendary site for marriage proposals — she faces up to her boyfriend’s reality and carries take-out Chinese food to Richard’s apartment. To be fair, Richard is torn between the loves of his life and is trying to sort out his feelings for both Sarah and Elsie. When Sarah arrives, as per usual, she pulls a table up to the piano and begins to set out the food. She has brought along spicy eggrolls to try to give Richard some ideas. Finally unable to continue, she pulls his hands off the piano and puts them on her. Uncomfortable, Richard rushes back to the piano and begins to propose that they “crescendo” together. They do. Finally in a moment alone, Sarah and Elsie make peace with one another and then, with Richard, all three join in making beautiful music together.