33 VARIATIONS Scores!

After a successful and Tony nominated run on Broadway, Moises Kaufman's latest play, 33 Variations, opened Wednesday evening at LA Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.  Deeply engaging, endlessly enthralling and melodiously mesmerizing, Kaufman's work is a sensational night of theatre.  Nearly flawless it its own composition, 33 Variations soars with its intriguing plot exploring the mystery of Ludwig van Beethoven's obsession with a perceived trite and simple waltz written by a music publisher at the time, Anton Diabelli.

In 1819, Diabelli needed to promote his music publishing business, and so created a venture where he asked every notable Austrian musician to write a variation on a patriotic waltz he penned specifically for the occasion.  Fifty-one composers submitted variations, including notable classicists Shubert, Czerny and Liszt.  But it was Beethoven who couldn't stop at simply one variation.  Seeing something in the work that touched him deeply, Ludwig van Beethoven went on to write 33 variations of the waltz, which are now regarded as one of the greatest of Beethoven's piano pieces and as the greatest set of variations of their time.

This alone could have been the basis of an amazing piece of theatre, but Kaufman deftly and thoughtfully creates a parallel story, centered on Dr. Katherine Brandt, performed brilliantly by Jane Fonda, a music professor who's made it her mission to understand why Beethoven choose Diabelli's pedestrian – deemed by some – waltz as the basis for what became an amazing and honored opus.  Simultaneously, the two stories unfold, and we see that not only do they share an obsession, but almost parallel lives.   As Beethoven gradually loses his hearing, Brandt's recent diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) begins to progress, further putting pressure on the music professor to get to the bottom of this enigmatic tale. 

Kaufman smartly adds yet another layer to the tale, with the character of Clara, Brandt's daughter, with whom the professor has never had a warm relationship.  In trying to understand why Beethoven would want to create a magnificent piece of work from a "mediocre" waltz, we also see how Brandt's can't seem to understand her own daughter.   

The end result is a touching, emotional tale about human connection, and enjoying the simpler things in life. Like Occam's Razor, the principle that states the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one, Brandt discovers that only in letting go can she truly appreciate the beauty of Diabelli's waltz, and the wonderment Beethoven derived from it.  In doing so, she also finally learns to understand her daughter.

Jane Fonda, who plays Dr. Brandt, gives an absolutely thrilling performance, proving with great ease why she is truly one of the best actresses alive.   You slowly see the progression of Brandt's ALS take its toll on her body through Fonda's remarkable transformation and feel as though you have witnessed every slight moment of decomposition.  In the end you stand in disbelief that the actress who began the play a strong independent woman is the same one you see in the end immobile on a hospital bed.  The flawlessness with which Fonda breathes life into the character of Brandt is truly remarkable – not simply playing Brandt, but wearing her like a second skin.

The rest of the cast (many whom originated their roles in the Broadway production) is absolutely spectacular, rising up to meet Fonda's mastery.  There is not a weak link among them, and each character adds their own particular and necessary element to ensure the chemical reaction they create each night before the audience's eye is spontaneous and explosive.

Every aspect of the production, from the set design to the lighting to the onstage pianist, is like a carefully crafted symphony, helmed with extraordinary care from Kaufman, who skillful conducts the work as director.

33 Variations is playing now through March 6th at the Ahmanson Theatre (part of the Center Theater Group), 135 N Grand Ave. in downtown Los Angeles.  Performances are Tuesday through Friday @ 8p, Saturdays @ 2p and 8p, and Sundays @ 1 and 6:30p.  There is no public performance on February 23^rd.  Tickets are available in person at the Center Theater Group box office, by phone at 213.972.4400 (TDD @ 213.680.4017) or online at http://www.centertheatergroup.com.