Columbus Dispatch theatre critic Michael Grossberg wrote about last night’s opening of 33 Variations and unleashed a symphony of praise. Catch the highlights below.
Available Light Theatre’s elegant area premiere weaves a fascinating spell …
Under the sensitive direction of Eleni Papaleonardos, a fine nine-person ensemble hits virtually all of the play’s lilting grace notes of nobility, tenderness, passion and yes, grace …
Josie Merkle hits her stride as Dr. Katherine Brandt … as she conveys the persistence amid increasing fragility …
As Beethoven, Matt Hermes embodies the composer’s humanity, passion and frustration while revealing convincing glimpses of his genius …
Acacia Duncan couldn’t be more luminous as Clara Brandt, Katherine’s New York daughter …
As nurse Mike Clark, Humphrey exudes decency, empathy, competence and diffidence …
Strong support comes from Nate Roderick, increasingly concerned and protective as Beethoven’s friend Anton Schindler; David Tull, touchy and excitable as composer-publisher Anton Diabelli; and Emily Bach as Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger, a guardian of Beethoven’s papers who becomes Katherine’s trusted confidante …
Perhaps least visible but most evocative is pianist Dave McMahon, who capably performs excerpts from many of the waltz variations on a piano at the center rear of the stage …
With its artful tapestry of monologues, dialogues, lighting, sound and multimedia projections, Available Light illuminates one of the most intriguing and thought-provoking recent Broadway plays.
Read Mr. Grossberg’s entire piece here.