We've Been Waiting For You

posted by David Dower

What a weekend! Friday night was the first preview of 33 Variations. It was clear almost from the opening moment that this show is going to ravish audiences. The beauty of the music and the physical production didn't surprise me—I'd been watching tech and dress rehearsals. But what surprised everyone was how much humor there is in the play. This is what theater artists mean when they say the audience is the "last actor cast." Until the audience was in its seats and playing ITS part, it was not possible to know where the laughs were and how big they are. Moisés opened the night by telling the audience "We've been waiting for you..." and inviting them to stay for a conversation afterward. Hundreds of them did.

It was a great night, watching it dawn on the actors how much fun it will be to perform this play. It's such an unusual mix of emotions—the comedy leavening the emotionally devastating moments throughout the event. There will be many other posts from other voices reviewing the show here, (and hopefully you'll stop by and comment on your own experience after you've seen it), so I won't go into detail. But I do want to point you to some other sources of information about the play that have begun appearing in the press.

(l-r) Greg Keller as Mike (background left)
Mary Beth Peilas Katherine Brandt, Don Amendolia
as Antonio Diabelli and Susan Kellermann
as Gertie Ladenborger

Listen to WETA interview of Moisés Kaufman and Diane Walsh.

Read The Washington Post interview with Moisés Kaufman.

Comments

[Sally Determan]

I'm nearly 70 and have been going to the theater for years. I have never seen such an extraordinary play -- I laughed and cried and thrilled to this amazing production. It is absolutely not to be missed.

[David Dower]

Thank you for writing, Sally. We've had so many people say similar things to us on the way out the door, it's nice to see someone take the time to put it in writing!