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On the Stage: 'The Music Lesson' By Robert H. Miller Special to the Tidings Actors' Theatre in Talent is now presenting the west coast premiere of "The Music Lesson," by Tammy Ryan. It's a powerful and haunting play whose opening scene - a wrenching rendition of a plangent Bosnian folk song that never slackens - delivers an emotional charge. Though the action occurs in Pittsburgh in 1996 whither a Sarajevo couple has fled from the bloody and brutal civil war, there are flashbacks to Sarajevo between 1992 and 1995. The set design by Scott Hall, a newcomer to the Rogue Valley, serves admirably as their comfortable home, as well as a corner of the war zone. Ivan Batanovic (Doug Mitchell) and his wife Irena (Livia Genise) are music teachers, she of the piano, he of the violin, who are finding it difficult to adjust to life in the United States. He is handling it better, and he is always ready to point to differences in behavior, viewpoint, and values, with his pet phrase, "In our country," and yet he has gentle fun with American affectation (i.e, "You're welcome"). Irena struggles with the language and starting a new life, and questions her ability to teach, tortured by memories of Maja (Mandy Andersen), a young Serbo-Croat Muslim girl who had tremendous promise as a pianist. Irena was devoted to her and had such plans for her - to study at the Vienna Conservatory to develop her talent and, incidentally, to get her away from the war. But Maja elected to stay facing hardship and horror, only to die from a sniper's bullet. Now it happens that Ivan runs across a lady in the market, a Mrs. Johnson (Linda Otto) whose two children are in need of a music teacher - piano for teenager Kat (Dana Ingalls) and violin for younger brother Eddie (Miko Hughes). He takes on the job, little realizing what a challenge he and Irena are undertaking. If the playwright telegraphs the ending of the play, the poignancy still hits us. Tammy Ryan gives her play, suggested by a true encounter, an extraordinarily apt title, for "The Music Lesson" isn't merely about pupils being taught a musical instrument. It's about the healing power of music and relationships established and restored through music. Congreve said: "Music has charms to soothe a savage breast," and Shakespeare that "In sweet music is such art, killing care and grief of heart." It has been said, the only language we need is music. And in the play, what music - Bach, Schumann, Dvorak, Gounod, Chopin, and a couple of Bosnian folk songs, besides. When Eddie and Ivan mime playing the violin, there could be more finger work, but no matter, the actual hands are those of violinist Robert Dubow. Similarly, when Irena, Kat, and Maja play the piano, the keyboard is not visible, but the hands are the hands of pianist Kristina Foltz. The mimers' faces are wonderfully expressive. All praise to Mike Leonard for his sound design, not just for the music, but also for the remarkably realistic sound effects and accompanying pyrotechnics (Kevin West) when the bombs drop on Sarajevo. The cast is convincing on all points. First the youngsters: a finely petulant, surly, and rebellious Kat from Dana Ingalls, a sophomore at Ashland High School; a poised and earnest Eddie from Miko Hughes, a Walker Elementary student; and a tender, spirited, at times frightened Maja from Mandy Andersen, Livia Genise's daughter. As for the adults, Linda Otto firmly etches the overwrought mother left to handle two kids in the aftermath of a divorce, as well as make a living. Then there are Doug Mitchell and Livia Genise as the Batanovics. It's a rare treat to have two artistic directors of local community theatres together on the same stage. There's chemistry here, and tender moments between them. I liked very much his soft-keyed and endearing Ivan, a contrast to her splendidly emotional Irena, torn between Maja whom she loved and lost and Kat whose attitude and intransigence frustrate her. Each child is special and she strives to find a special way to reach and teach Kat. And so the play ends as it began, with the characters gathered around the piano singing the same plangent Bosnian folk song: scenes that tug at the heart, brilliantly orchestrated, as indeed is the whole play, by director Wrick Jones. Note that this play is not recommended for children under 10 years of age. The roles of the youngsters are shared as follows: Maja - Mandy Andersen (even days), Maya Nerenberg (odd days); Kat - Dana Ingalls (all except Fridays and Actors' Benefit), Brianna Houck (all Fridays and Actors' Benefit); and Eddie - Miko Hughes (even days), Zachary Kanner (odd days). Performances are at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays through March 9. LINKS: REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. DAILY TIDINGS: Main | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -