'Left Alone Rhapsody' highlights struggles, and recovery, of paralyzed pianist John Bayless

Filmmaker Stewart Schulman is passionate about exploring the lives of people who are “othered” in some way — those who are disabled, older or gay, for example — and using his work to promote greater inclusivity. So when he learned that his onetime collaborator, acclaimed pianist John Bayless, had taught himself to play one-handed after a stroke, he knew he had to tell his story.

“The thought of rising above the adversity and just continuing on no matter what they’re facing, I find that (to be) something that inspires me and makes me want to do the same in my own life,” said Schulman, 67, of Floral Park.

The story of Bayless’ remarkable journey from child prodigy to one-handed pianist is told in “Left Alone Rhapsody,” a documentary written, directed and produced by Schulman. The award-winning film has been shown across the country, including at the ReelAbilities Film Festival in Manhattan last month. On May 19, it will have its Long Island premiere at Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington.

Net proceeds from the screening will go to the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute’s John Bayless Fund for Brain Research, which supports neuroscience to help people living with stroke and other brain conditions. Since its creation in February, the fund has raised more than $40,000, Schulman said.

“The response has been really rewarding,” said Schulman, founder and president of the Act Two MediaWorks production company. “People are oftentimes very moved and always, they use the word ‘inspired’ by the film and by John’s courage.”

Paula Kaminsky Davis, an executive producer of the film, is among those who have been impressed by Bayless’ recovery and resilience.

“I don’t always like to use the word ‘inspirational’ because it’s very clichéd and there are so many things out that are inspirational, but John is … in his very quiet manner,” said Kaminsky Davis, 71, of Port Washington.

FROM STAGE TO SCREEN

“Left Alone Rhapsody,” which premiered in April 2023 at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival in Palm Springs, California, is a follow-up to “One Hand, One Heart: My Life & My Music,” a theatrical show created by Schulman that premiered at the Landmark in 2019.

Divided into three acts, the 100-minute documentary begins with Bayless’ dazzling early start as a 4-year-old prodigy, his Carnegie Hall debut at 25 and his 30-year career touring the world.

Act 2 focuses on his 2008 stroke, which left his right side paralyzed, followed by his physical therapy. Then finally, there is Bayless’ reinvention, as he learns to play again with just his left hand.

The deep connection between the filmmaker and his subject is evident throughout the film, said Laura Mogul, executive director of Landmark on Main Street and an associate producer of the documentary.

“There’s a scene when John is sitting at the piano, lifting his left hand to the keys and he’s going, ‘What am I doing? What’s going to happen?’ and Stewart’s just there talking to him, supporting him with humor and great affection and respect for John’s incredible talent,” said Mogul, 69, of Port Washington. “That comes through very clearly in the film: just how much heart John has and how much heart Stewart has for John and for telling this story.”

She added, “Documentaries like ‘Left Alone Rhapsody’ are critical to show people what can be done when something like this hits your life.”

A PASSION FOR FILM

Schulman’s path toward filmmaking was far from assured.

Growing up in Fresh Meadows, Queens, Schulman said he loved theater and film from an early age and dreamed of a career in the arts, but was discouraged by his parents, who guided him to pursue a more “practical” career.

Then, one course changed his career trajectory.

At the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied architectural design and minored in theater and photography, Schulman said he took “Film and Society,” a social science course that examined movies through a social and historical lens.

“It changed the way I viewed the potential of film, realizing they could not only be entertainment, but vehicles for enlightenment and inspiration around social issues or mediums for change,” Schulman said.

That led to his pursuing a master’s degree in filmmaking — this time with his parents’ blessing — at New York University Graduate Institute of Film & Television, now the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where his classmates included notable filmmakers Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch.

Schulman’s 1981 thesis film, the narrative “Beyond Measure,” was scored by Bayless. Over the years, Schulman said, he and Bayless stayed in touch but weren’t close.

After graduate school, Schulman’s career took him in many directions. He said he wrote four screenplays that focused on people who transcended hardships, was a modern-jazz dancer, worked as a choreographer, acted in Off-Off-Broadway plays, appeared in national television commercials and performed improv comedy.

In 2013, Schulman said he began working on documentaries, starting with a film for Montclair State University with Heidi Latsky, an advocate for disability rights whose dance company employs people with varying physical abilities. This led to a decadelong partnership with the New Jersey school, for which he produced and directed a few dozen short videos.

It was also during this time that Schulman and Bayless reconnected.

‘NOT A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE’

Bayless, a classically trained Juilliard pianist and protégé of Leonard Bernstein, was known for his impressive improvisations and mashups of musical genres. For example, he reimagined Beatles tunes as Bach compositions in his recording, “Bach Meets The Beatles.”

“When he used to play, the thing that he was known for was the pyrotechnic dexterity of his fingers,” Schulman said. “I mean, he could play more notes than Mozart. It was mind-blowing what he could do!”

But since his stroke, Bayless said his style of playing has changed.

“When I say I hear music differently now than I used to, it’s true,” Bayless said. “I call that youth. I felt like I had to show off, I had to impress — play fast, play loud — and couldn’t take time with the melodies. In a way, I didn’t feel them as deeply as I do now.”

Bayless said he is pleased with how he was portrayed in the film.

“The whole process was kind of magical because [Schulman] came up with the idea and immediately things started falling into place to do the shooting, and the money was there,” said Bayless, 70, who lives in Palm Desert, California. “It seemed like it was meant to be.”

Kaminsky Davis, who said she first heard Bayless play at Schulman’s home several years ago and was blown away by his talent, was fascinated by his story and eager to get involved with the documentary.

The film has been well-received, she said.

“There’s usually not a dry eye in the house,” she said of the audience response.

On opening night of this year’s Boca International Jewish Film Festival in Florida, “Left Alone Rhapsody” was screened in a ballroom, where people had just eaten dinner and were seated at their tables.

“Normally, when you’re sitting in a room like that, you hear the tinkle, tinkle of spoons and glasses and people are getting up to go to the bathroom,” Kaminsky Davis said. “No one left. No one spoke. No one whispered. They were so intent on watching the story.”

Now, with the goal of reaching a wider audience, Schulman said he is in talks with a few distribution companies.

“People do come up to me [after screenings] and say, ‘Everybody needs to see this film,’ ” Schulman said. “Hopefully they’re right and hopefully it’ll happen.”

Inspired by the individuals whose lives he highlights, Schulman said he ultimately hopes that his films will foster acceptance and inspire others.

“I think the more … we share stories, that’s sort of the way we demystify these things and also make the world more loving and compassionate,” he said.