Don’t miss Purple Rose Theatre Company’s ’33 Variations,’ it’s terrific

I don’t profess to be a play critic so I don’t know any of the fancy “theater language” used by people who do this for a living.

But I do review books.

And good books include memorable characters. They revolve around a clever plot, they grab you and hold your attention.

Like a good book, 33 Variations written by Moisés Kaufman and directed by Guy Sanville, showcases seven terrific actors, two of whom are celebrating their debuts with the Purple Rose Theatre Company.

So, all those elements that make me want to keep reading a good book — they took place on a stage in front of my eyes and I didn’t even have to turn the pages to find out what happens next.

I loved this play.

I loved the actors and the non-stop action of their lives — past and present.

I loved the music, the lighting, and the powerful layering of the plot.

Katherine Brandt, played by Michelle Mountain, did a masterful job of expressing raw human emotions as she grew sicker, but no less obsessed with understanding Ludwig van Beethoven’s desire to improve upon a simple waltz.

The play moved seamlessly back and forth between present day and 19th century Bonn, Germany and Vienna, Austria – as Brandt uncovered the mystery of why Beethoven was fixated on this piece of music. And along her journey, she also developed a deeper understanding of her daughter, Clara Brandt, played by Lauren Knox.

Knox gave a delightful performance. Her portrayal of the misunderstood daughter with a lust for new experiences in life and love were terrifically acted. In this, her professional debut at the Purple Rose, she was my favorite character.

And Michael Brian Ogden, who played Mike Clark, nurse and Clara’s slightly socially inept boyfriend, was a joy to watch as he navigated the landmine of love, and the twists and turns of a complicated mother-daughter dynamic.

Richard McWilliams, who played Beethoven, masterfully wrestled his personal and musical demons. He drew the audience into his world.

The cast also included David Bendena, Daniel C. Britt and Rhiannon Ragland, who played Anton Shindler, Anton Diabelli and Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger, respectively.

There was wonderful humor sprinkled throughout this serious dramatic presentation. There were ebbs and flows in all the right places, lovely music, intense passion, and some adult language and content.

Performances take place Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with Wednesday matinees at 3 p.m., Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., and the production runs through June 1.

Go see this play, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.

For more information, click here.