33 Variations Reviews
Los Angeles Times- Recommended
"...Director Thomas James O'Leary exploits every inch of the small playing area in his authoritative staging. The design elements - Andrew Schmedake's lighting, David B. Marling's sound, Vicki Conrad's costumes and, most particularly, Nicholas Acciani's scenic and projection design - set an impressive standard. Dylan Price provides the live piano music that enlivens the action and makes the variations accessible to even the most musically untutored in the audience, who may not exit the theater humming the score but will certainly go away with a new perspective on the fulminations of genius."
Broadway World- Recommended
"...Rounding out the cast (at the performance I attended) are three pivotal characters. First was Christian Edsall who stepped in for John Allee as Beethoven's "friend" and all-around assistant Anton Schindler. His task is to be the perfect caregiver, staying true to his duties no matter how degrading his "master" becomes as his health and hearing deteriorate. Edsall perfectly embodies the role, performing the most intricate scene-changing choreography without a stumble. Had I not known otherwise, his performance surely is worthy of full credit rather than that of an understudy."
Stage and Cinema- Recommended
"...33 Variations, despite its failure to make something honest and true of one of its pivotal characters, is an ultimately moving drama that manages to retain its cerebral underpinnings."
LA Splash- Recommended
"...Director Thomas James O'Leary skillfully develops the interplay between time, place, and characters. The superb cast members develop the multi-layered personalities of each characters with competence and compassion. Special kudos to Nan McNamara (Katherine) and Bruce Ladd (Beethoven) for their moving portrayals of individuals whose bodies are failing while their minds remain keenly alert."
Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended
"...Actors Co-op's intimate revival of Moises Kaufman's 33 Variations is not only one of the year's finest 99-seat productions, it is among the all-time best I've seen at the Co-op since first discovering the Hollywood theatrical gem over two decades ago."
Stage Raw- Highly Recommended
"...This play by Moises Kaufman is an extraordinary piece of work - rich, multifaceted and multilayered, both disturbing and reassuring. Nominally, it's about a piece of music: Beethoven's 33 Diabelli Variations, which he wrote based on a waltz by Anton Diabelli. While the music is important in itself, it's also a device for opening up a wide range of subjects, from the creative process, to the nature of obsession, to the human ability to keep going even when life heaps on terrible afflictions."