The Piano Stays in the Picture

When we first heard about "Play Me, I'm Yours," the all-around-the-world art project that puts pianos and people together in public places, we thought, "awww, nice."

Then when we heard it was headed for LA in mid-April we thought, "awww, sweet."

And then when we heard it would be vamoosing on Thursday, May 3, we thought, "awww, dang."

Because it's nice, right? A totally no-cost, music-fun thing. Free pianos to play, all over the city. No strings attached. (Well, except inside the pianos, to keys and such.)

But here's the happy Hollywood ending for one piano, and, surprise surprise, it is right in the heart of Tinseltown: The piano in front of the Egyptian Theatre won't be hitting the road, courtesy of a donation by the LA Chamber Orchestra.

American Cinematheque announced on May 2 that its piano, which is frankly as glittery as glittery gets, gets to stay. So if you like tickling the keys but you've missed visiting one of the landmark-close pianos, don't sweat it; just put the Egyptian on your future roster.

Maybe someone will be discovered, in the months to come, rocking the Hollywood piano? Isn't that how things work in the movie business? You're somewhere in Hollywood, sipping a malt or crooning a song, and the next thing we know you're a household name? Are we wrong? Or simply living in 1938?

Congrats, Egyptian. It's a purty piano and the perfect permanent addition to the Boulevard.

Egyptian piano photo: Margot Gerber