Raise the Hammer
Charly's Piano is the interesting, inspiring and funny true story about Charly Chiarrelli's time working in a psychiatric hospital in 1972. This version of the story is terrific, with direction and background guitar by Artword Artbar's own Ronald Weihs and black-and-white photos of Toronto projected on the back of the stage.
Charly is an animated and expressive storyteller who plays a mean harmonica. This show features Charly acting out many of the people he met when he worked at the Clark Institute. The story is packed with Charly's self-deprecating humour and his open-hearted acceptance of quirky characters, and conveys a good-natured feeling of "hey, we're all in this together, trying to figure it out as best we can."
It also has a healthy dose of "fake it till you make it" when Charly organizes a variety show fundraiser to buy a piano for some informal music therapy.
Charly's story ends on a rather sad note, when Charly goes back to visit the hospital several years later. It is a powerful ending, but Yours truly - ever the optimist - hopes the future is brighter for music therapy in psychiatric programs. Two recent visits I made to the psychiatric departments at St. Joseph's give me faith that there is reason to hope.
This is a show that can inspire mental health professionals - and advocates like myself - to see how important music therapy is. In the meantime, go see Charly's Piano, for wonderful stories and music guaranteed to make you feel better!
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