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33 Variations Reviews
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Review by: Tom B., May 11, 2009 |
"33 Variations"
O'Neill Theatre
Playing through: May 24
The big news about "33 Variations," the new Moises Kaufman play at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre is the return to the Broadway stage (after a three decade absence) of Jane Fonda. Broadway seems to love it when big Hollywood stars return to the boards. They bring in new audiences and call attention to the world of legitimate theater, which ... read more mostly flies under the entertainment world radar.
Unfortunately, critics are rarely kind to the stars of the silver screen when they are there for the viewing night after night, in ordinary life-size proportion. Perhaps it's a case of familiarity breeding contempt. Once stars are there before our eyes in flesh and blood form, instead of gigantic representations in dancing light, perhaps something is lost in the minds of critics.
But this time around, Jane Fonda has bucked the trend and received mostly positive notices for her performance. Unfortunately, the play itself is coming under fire. I say unfortunate because I had a delightful evening. Not only was Jane terrific -- sincere, honest, displaying a wonderful, graceful physicality -- the play was compelling and entertaining, if occasionally a tad facile and predictable.
Fonda plays Dr. Catherine Brandt, a musicologist who has fallen ill but is obsessed with completing a final monograph before she dies. The subject of the paper is Beethoven's "33 Variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli." Brandt has, after months of pleading, been given access to the Beethoven archives in Bonn, where she hopes to discover why Beethoven, in the last years of his life, spent so much time composing so many variations on such a simple, almost amateurish piece of dance music.
The scene shifts between the present day (incorporating the conflict between Brandt and her daughter, plus a budding relationship between the daughter and Brandt's nurse, Mike, and a friendship between Brandt and the scholar who oversees the archive and works closely with Brandt), and the early 19th century, where we see the imagined interaction between Beethoven, his assistant Shindler, and Anton Diabelli, Beethoven's publisher and -- for this project only -- collaborator/inspiration.
There's an intellectual mystery being solved here -- and like all mysteries, it takes a little attention. Dr. Brandt pores over the maestro's sketchbooks, even searching the "conversation books" used late in his life when he had gone completely deaf and visitors had to write their comments and questions to him. There's something compelling about watching a powerful mind attempt to solve a puzzle using only limited and ultimately inadequate evidence.
The bigger story, however, is not the search for the reason Beethoven chose to spend so much time on variations of what has been deemed an inconsequential piece of music, but the search for meaning in any life. Almost everyone in this play is obsessed: Catherine with solving the mystery, Beethoven with plumbing the depths of Diabelli's waltz, Diabelli with getting the variations published, Catherine's daughter with helping her mother deal with her illness, Mike with winning the daughter's love. Everyone, it seems, it caught up in the unsatisfying business of trying to explain the unexplainable or grasp the incomprehensible.
The mystery Catherine has taken on is really the ultimate mystery. As she says in the second act, "Beethoven exists in the silences." There is triple meaning to this, as she is referring first to the conversation books where only Beethoven's visitor's questions and comments were written out -- the maestro's replies were spoken and therefore lost to history. The second silence is the silence between notes; without it, music would not be music, but continuous noise, lacking rhythm, melody or dynamic range. But it's the third silence that is most important -- the silence of the void looming over both Beethoven and Catherine, both facing a too-imminent death.
Kaufman does a fascinating parallel to highlight the journey to silence: Beethoven is losing his hearing, Catherine her ability to speak. Too soon, both these brilliant minds will be forced into a quiet neither desires, but which may deliver unanticipated blessings. As they travel this hard, narrow path, Kaufman allows we in the audience to focus on our own search for the ineffable.
"33 Variations" is beautifully staged, well-acted, elegantly and efficiently directed, and well worth your time -- though you'll have to hurry, as Jane Fonda will be returning to the life of a movie star all too soon. |
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Great Performances and Music Review by: EPR, May 10, 2009 |
We went to see this show last night and it was great. Jane Fonda's performance is outstanding and the rest of the cast was also very good.
Interesting analogy between Bethoven's and the musicologist gradual health deterioration. Emotional, educational and inspiring.
The piano player and music was also excellent. |
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Go See Review by: Theatre lover, May 2, 2009 |
| Surprise--didn't know what to expect when i bought tickets. I was pleasantly surprised. An intelligent interesting play. Go see and enjoy. |
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| 4 |
Fascinating Review by: billyelliotfan, Apr 20, 2009 |
I saw the show last Saturday evening and loved it. The story itself was fascinating, and I loved the staging and direction--very creative. Simple sets can be so effective. I thought all the performances were wonderful--Jane Fonda was a treat to see, and looks fanstatic. I especially liked Erik Steele as Schindler, but everyone was terrific. The facts behind the story seem to be a footnote in musical history--not well-known (I had never even ... read more heard of Diabelli), but fascinating none the less. Certainly liberties were taken with the script, of course, but that doesn't detract from the fact that the story itself is a riveting mystery from the world of music.
Definitely go if you love music and love theatre. You will not be disappointed. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 5 |
Good Performances in a LONG Story Review by: Carol, Apr 13, 2009 |
| Jane Fonda and Zach Grenier are stand-outs in this performance, but overall the first act needed editing. The story of the musicologist researching Beethoven's 33 variations on a little-known Diabelli theme can go just so far. Development of the mother-daughter relationship was far more interesting in the play. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 6 |
Standing Ovation! Review by: jonro, Apr 6, 2009 |
| I loved it! Acting was wonderful! The set was amazing, and the Music was perfect! Fonda is better than ever, and Collin is proving that the apple does not fall far from the tree, Hanks is great! GO SEE THIS SHOW! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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| 7 |
Layers of Meaning, Important for Creative People and Those Who Love Them Review by: NYKnows, Apr 5, 2009 |
I'm really glad that I went - I really liked Mr. Kaufman's play about Oscar Wilde, and this play about Beethoven does not disappoint. The story is really about Beethoven, and his reasons for composing, framed with the story of a dying music professor. But the real story is Beethoven. We learn that the reasons for Beethoven's great works, his drive to create, lies not in making money or one-upping his rivals, but in his desire to lift all ... read more of mankind - and this show parallels that. The script is excellent, the actors perfect, and the direction delicate and lovely. This show uses video projections to help tell the story, not in an overwhelming way like Sunday in the Park with George, but in a subtle, contributing way, very lovely. This production is far beyond a film or TV, because on the stage, we the audience connect with the actors and contribute to the story-telling through our energy and attention, so this play goes beyond any other type of experience. We learn a lot about Beethoven, but also a lot about human endeavor, the importance of creativity, and the human spirit. If you are creative, if you wish to be an artist in any medium, particularly if you are a student in any of the arts, make it your priority to see this production, it will re-inspire you as to the importance of what your role on earth. Above money, above celebrity, above everything, the artist lifts the spirit, and creativity lasts when all else fades, it outlives all including the creator. Strongly recommended for those who are creative and those who wish to know how to live with them, care for them and love them.
PS One note to Mr. Kaufman from a physician: There are NO orphan diseases, there are orphan drugs. ALS cannot be classified as an orphan disease, because there is no such thing, however it is a disease of unknown etiology (cause). There are no drugs, not even orphan drugs (drugs too expensive to market)for ALS because we do not know what causes it, so there is no way of treating it, this is not in any way the fault of any pharmaceutical company, please correct this serious and unfair error in the text. If anyone finds a cure for ALS, pharmaceutical or otherwise, it will be due to a breakthrough in finding the cause. |
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must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 8 |
Go Review by: janeA, Apr 3, 2009 |
| One of the very best plays on Broadway in years. The concept is brilliant and brilliantly executed. Unless your thing is frivolous retreads this is real theatre. Go. We are sending our teenage kids and 80 year old mother. The ensemble is excellent, not just Jane. |
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must see!
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| 9 |
A Must See..... Review by: theatergoer, Apr 1, 2009 |
A moving drama. The two plots lines weave in and out seamlessly. Top notch performances by all the actors. Colin Hanks' part was quite subtle which he portrayed beautifully. Jane Fonda was amazing and still has presence, charisma and oh yes - she looks great.
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must see!
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| 10 |
Don't waste your money! Review by: Ravenswood, Mar 20, 2009 |
| With so much available on Broadway don't waste your time on 33 Variations. Only one out of ten in our theatre group enjoyed this play. It was a treat to see Jane Fonda again but I did not feel she was comfortable with her role,the music was naturally great but I found the play on the whole to be boring and the stage set nil. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Jane Fonda was excellent Review by: chicosgirl, Mar 18, 2009 |
| It was so refreshing to see a really good show. Jane Fonda was excellent as was the rest of the cast. The stories came together seamlessly. A treat!! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
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| 12 |
An Absolute Winner - Sure to be a Hit! Review by: Bob, Mar 9, 2009 |
| This is a beautiful, beautiful play - moving, funny, thought-provoking. Jane Fonda is simply terrific in it and the whole cast is first-rate! Go see it! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Fonda has still got it! Review by: One Grown Up, Mar 9, 2009 |
| A provocative, challenging, intellectual, ultimately moving drama. A stage endeavor refreshingly targeting "real grown ups." People who have raised children, triumphed spiritually over terminal illnesses, are facing issues of aging, will recognize the effort, and appreciate the recognition. Maybe not to everyone's taste, but at least the arguments against this play will be on the merits of the ideas and on details of stage craft, ... read more similarly to the criticisms of "August: Osage County" or "Doubt." To appreciate it, you better work! And think, and articulate your problems. The lazy and tired can go see "Lion King" (an excellent show, but not challenging, lovable with zero effort; it's gorgeous and shiny and big, and you will love it whether you are completely cynical or ignorant). By the way, Fonda has still got it: the charisma, the presence, and yes, the sex appeal, of a top tier Movie Star. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 14 |
Fabulous evening of theatre Review by: Robin S, Mar 6, 2009 |
| This play was very enjoyable and fascinating. The two plot lines weave in and out beautifully. I've loved Moises Kaufman's work ever since Gross Indecency, Trials of Oscar Wilde, and this production goes to a whole new level. Should be a Pulitzer consideration. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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Flawless 33 Variations Review by: , Mar 5, 2009 |
| What a fantastic evening in the theater! The acting, story,set, pacing were flawless. The story really plays like a thriller and really keeps you involved. I expect it to be "good", but this was GREAT. Standing ovations were given as well as yells of "bravo" during bows. I would really love to see this show clean up at the Tonys this year. The actors, director and show certainly deserve the award! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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