Dr. Katherine Brandt (Kate Forbes, foreground left) reveals her ALS diagnosis to Dr. Gertrude Landenburger (Kim Jackson) as the two wait for a train in present day Bonn as music publisher Anton Diabelli (Patrick Sweetman) pores over some of the Variations Beethoven has created. Tim Hinck (far right) interprets the music as it is being discussed and created.
Dr. Katherine Brandt (Kate Forbes, foreground left) reveals her ALS diagnosis to Dr. Gertrude Landenburger (Kim Jackson) as the two wait for a train in present day Bonn as music publisher Anton Diabelli (Patrick Sweetman) pores over some of the Variations Beethoven has created. Tim Hinck (far right) interprets the music as it is being discussed and created.
Anton Schindler (Tim Newland, left), secretary and self-proclaimed "Friend of Beethoven" tries to convince the composer (James Lawson) to pursue lucrative commissions and stop creating more Variations.
Dr. Brandt in Bonn (Kate Forbes, left) and her daughter, Clara (Marcia Parks), in New York, argue across the miles. New boyfriend Mike (Casey Jackson) -- also Dr. Brandt's nurse -- is caught in the crossfire.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre will present 33 Variations, opening Friday:
Review for 33 Variations:
It begins with a simple, pedestrian waltz by a mediocre composer, Anton Diabelli. But it becomes Ludwig van Beethoven's obsession as he creates variation after variation - eschewing more lucrative opportunities even as he grows more poor, more sick, and more deaf.
And 200 years later, those 33 Variations have become the obsession of musicologist Dr. Katherine Brandt, whose time is also running out. Despite her increasingly debilitating disease, she travels to Bonn to study the original sketches at the Beethoven-Haus.
Fact and fiction are skillfully woven into the Moises Kaufman text as Dr. Brandt researches Beethoven's compulsion. It's a tale told in two time frames - with intriguing parallels that seamlessly overlap - about art, family mortality and love.
The outstanding cast features Kate Forbes, Kim Jackson, Marcia Parks, Casey Jackson James Lawson, Tim Newland and Patrick Sweetman. Tim Hinck is the pianist for the work. George Quick directs. Carolyn Miller is stage manager. Scenic design by Sarah Miecielica.
Tickets are $25 with side seat tickets at $12.50 on Thursday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 18 only. Parking is $4 for non-subscribers. Free parking opening night.
Performances:
Friday, October 9. 8 p.m. curtain, Opening night celebration begins at 7:00 with complimentary hors d'oeuvres from Events with Taste and adult beverages. Free parking opening night.
Saturday, October 10. 8 p.m. curtain.
Sunday, October 11, 2:30 -No performance. Special Q&A with Kate Forbes. (See separate article)
Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. curtain. Featuring real-time captioning for our deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons.
Friday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m. curtain. Girls' Night Out sponsored by Brewer Media begins at 7 p.m. Ghostlight session immediately after the performance to discuss the work with cast and director.
Saturday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m. curtain.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2:30 p.m. curtain.
Tickets at 267-8534 (Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) or online at TheatreCentre.com