Ben Stiller, Piano Man? The House of Blue Leaves Star on His Newfound Talent

Broadway’s making a piano man out of Ben Stiller. The Hollywood heavyweight, who returns to the stage next month in The House of Blue Leaves, has taken up singing and piano playing in preparation for the role of Artie Shaughnessy, a struggling Queens singer/songwriter.

“It’s been really fun,” Stiller told Broadway.com. “Luckily, Artie’s not a great piano player, so I’m hitting that perfectly!”

Edie Falco, who plays Stiller’s nutty wife Bananas, disagrees. “He’s good,” she said. “This boy is good! You wouldn’t know he hasn’t played his whole life. I’m really seriously taken aback by what he’s been able to do. It’s crazy. Real good!”

The House of Blue Leaves starts performances on April 4 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.