ORADELL, N.J.—Bergen County Players, one of America’s longest-running little theater companies, is pleased to continue its 2019–2020 season with the Tony-nominated play “33 Variations.”
Written by Moises Kaufman (“The Laramie Project”) and directed by Steve Bell, “33 Variations” is performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, Jan. 11–Feb. 1.
Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at bcplayers.org, by calling (201) 261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours.
Moving between the past and the present, “33 Variations” centers on acclaimed musicologist, Katherine Brandt, and the object of her professional passion: Ludwig van Beethoven. In 19th century Austria, Beethoven wrestles with a commission he cannot complete.
In present day, Katherine struggles to unlock the mystery behind Beethoven’s “Diabelli Variations,” a series of 33 variations on a simple waltz, considered to be the greatest set of variations ever written. As she races against time and her failing health, Katherine discovers the true nature of Beethoven’s work and gains insight into the other mystery in her life: her daughter. “33 Variations” illustrates how the very passions that threaten to overwhelm us can also save us.
“33 Variations” premiered at Washington D.C.’s Arena Stage and later opened on Broadway in March 2009. The Broadway production featured Jane Fonda in the leading role and received five Tony Award nominations.
A life member, past president, and Board of Governors member, director Bell of Hackensack has been active with the Players for more than 30 years.
The talented cast includes Joanne Guarnaccia of Englewood Cliffs as Dr. Katherine Brandt who struggles with the debilitating effects of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); Jessica Bettencourt of Hoboken as Clara Brandt, Katherine’s estranged daughter; Bryan John Morris of New Milford as Anton Diabelli, music publisher and amateur composer who in 1819 invited 50 European composers to create variations on a waltz he had written; Jon Cole of Glen Rock as Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest composers in history; Eric Holzer of Montclair as Mike Clark, Katherine’s nurse; Joann Lamneck of Hawthorne as Dr. Gertrude Ladenburg, a librarian who assists Katherine in her research; and Jay Stephenson of New Milford as Anton Schindler, the unpaid secretary of Beethoven who devotes himself to the composer.
Tickets are $22 on Fridays and Saturdays and $18 on Sundays, and can be purchased at bcplayers.org, by calling (201) 261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours.
BCP’s popular Questions & Artists talkback session will be held following the performance on Friday, Jan. 17.
Those interested in group sales or benefit theater parties should call (201) 261-4200, option #6.
The Bergen County Players, Inc. is a non-Equity, non-profit community theater company dedicated to presenting quality productions for the enrichment of the community.
