THEATRE B | PHOTO COURTESY
Theatre B’s “33 Variations” follows composer Ludwig van Beethoven from 1819-1822 as he writes 33 variations on one waltz. Meanwhile in modern times, musicologist Dr. Katherine Brandt (Linda Boyd) races against her physical decline from ALS to solve the mystery behind the composer’s fascination with Anton Diabelli’s waltz.
Fargo-Moorhead’s BeethovenFest is now fully fledged, and the community culture festival is highlighted by a play at downtown’s Theatre B: “33 Variations” by Moises Kaufman.
Chronicling the declining health of composer Ludwig van Beethoven and a modern musicologist, “33 Variations” explores Beethoven’s motivations in preparing 33 variations on one waltz, while Dr. Katherine Brandt races against the effects of ALS to uncover his meaning in the compositions.
It’s a fine play, with drama, humor and history found all over it. If you’re still muddling over whether to see it, here’s some inspiration for venturing out to “33 Variations.”
1. Learn about the life of Beethoven, arguably the most famous classical composer.
2. Students get in for $10.
3. Theatre B is down the street from Rhombus Guys and around the corner from Nichole’s Fine Pastry; food and drinks within walking distance!
4. You can eat in the seats.
5. The play’s just under two hours long.
6. Live, onstage piano work by Concordia College’s John N. Roberts.
7. Cast and crew members painted the sketches of Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations on the walls of the theater. Pretty cool stuff.
8. Support local art.
9. Try something new.
10. Take part in BeethovenFest, Fargo-Moorhead’s first month-long culture festival.
11. Cast member Jay Nelson’s Beethoven voice.
12. Cast member Jay Nelson’s angry Beethoven voice.
13. Cast member Pam Strait’s eyes.
14. See how many ways wheelchairs can be used.
15. Complimentary coffee and hot cocoa in the lobby.
16. See the show on Feb. 19 or 26 after enjoying a BEERthoven happy hour, featuring Beethoven brews from the Fargo and Drekker brewing companies. Happy hours are from 5-7 p.m. at the respective breweries.
17. See a show in an intimate atmosphere. Eighty seats, oh boy!
18. It’s in downtown Fargo, baby, which is a place to be and see these days.
19. Watch F-M Symphony executive director Linda Boyd in her “first lead role in a substantial play.”
20. Cast member Missy Teeters is a delight.
21. You’ve got a number of nights to pick from to see the show (Thursday-Sunday).
22. Ah, theater. A perfect date.
23. You can choose your seats.
24. Get a BeethovenFest passport, and check out other events in the culture festival.
25. See the play’s main characters, two specialists of their times, connect across 200 years. Moving moments, people.
26. There’s a relevant realism in this play that isn’t available in all other theater.
27. See how the cast adapts to acting in a very intimate space.
28. Share a pre-play chat in the seats with your neighbor. No kiddin’. I shared a chuckle in my chair at the ballet last month with an old guy I’ve never met before.
29. Window shop on the Main Avenue strip (can I call it that?) before grabbing a bite in advance of the play.
30. February is typically not a hot time for entertainment. BeethovenFest is an oven for the arts until March 1, and “33 Variations” is a bread baking all month.
31. Prove the rumor wrong that “there’s nothing to do in Fargo.”
32. Escape from everyday life for two hours (“Ahh!”).
33. Theatre B. It’s A1.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, run ends Feb. 28
WHERE: Theatre B, 716 Main Ave.
PRICE: $10 for students
MORE INFO: 701-729-8880
The post 33 Reasons to See ’33 Variations’ appeared first on The Spectrum.
