WHO: Capital Repertory Theatre
          Producing Artistic Director: Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill
          Managing Director: Michele Desrosiers
          Director: Gordon Greenberg
          Playwright: Moises Kaufman
          Casting Director: Stephanie Klapper Casting

ABOUT: 33 VARIATIONS tells the story of Katherine Brandt, a musicologist dying of ALS, who passionately throws herself into studying Beethoven’s renowned variations on the mundane Diabelli waltz. The story of her singular pursuit of knowledge and her strained relationship with her spirited daughter is interwoven with that of Beethoven himself. The fluid action moves between 1819, 1823 and 2010 in New York, Bonn, Germany and Vienna.

SEEKING:

Dr. Katherine Brandt: Late 40s – early 60s to play late 50s) A musicologist with a passion for Beethoven, Katherine is dying of ALS and has focused all of her energy on the study of Beethoven’s renowned 33 genius variations on the mundane Diabelli waltz. Her all encompassing study provides a significant distraction from her disease – and her difficult relationship with her daughter. She finds her daughter to be trivial, moving from career to career and man to man without ever delving beneath the surface of things. Theirs is a major philosophical gap on how to most valuably spend one’s time. As her disease progresses, her motor skills begin to fail and she must rely on her daughter for physical (and emotional) support. A star turn for a notable actress who is dynamic and smart. Salary: $750/week

Beethoven: 50s (German dialect). The genius German composer and pianist, Beethoven suffered from illness (abdominal, lead poisoning, and bipolar disorder) all his life. In the period during which the play takes place, his hearing begins to fail in a significant way, and he can no longer perform in public. His wife has left him, and his brother’s grave illness has left him penniless and volatile. As his health declines, he loses his hearing entirely and he can no longer have a conversation without the use of a notebook. He buries himself in his work – creating a series of variations on the mediocre waltz composed by a local music publisher, Diabelli. SEEKING AN ACTOR WHO CAN PLAY CLASSICAL PIANO. Salary: $750/week.

Clara Brandt: Late 20s/early 30s. A scenic designer who has already cycled through several professions – and several boyfriends, Clara has an exploratory philosophy in life. She cannot imagine limiting herself to a single career when there is so much to sample and a relatively short amount of time to do it in. She shares her mother’s love for music, but her tastes are much more varied. She is concerned about her mother’s health and tries to dissuade her from moving to Germany for her studies. When she accompanies her mother to a medical appointment, she meets Mike, a physician’s assistant who ultimately teaches her to embrace what is in front of her. Salary: $600/week

Mike Clark: 20s – 30s, any ethnicity. A physician’s assistant at the medical practice Katherine uses, Mike’s warm and caring nature is a contrast to her efficiency and coolness. He soon gains her trust – and before long he has asked Clara out on a date. Despite their ostensible differences, Mike wins Clara over with his ready charm, honesty, intelligence and love for music. Salary: $600/week.

Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger: 30s – 50s. A librarian at the Beethoven Haus, home of the composer’s archived musical sketches and conversation books. Gertie is a staunch lover and scholar of Beethoven. Her imperious demeanor belies a good heart. Although she is at first dubious of Katherine’s motives and abilities, she soon becomes a close colleague – the Watson to Katherine’s Sherlock Holmes – and ultimately a friend. Salary: $600/week.

Anton Diabelli: 40s – 50s. An Austrian music publisher whose mundane waltz is transformed by Beethoven into the renowned 33 variations. A businessman first, he dreams of composing and covets the attentions of the great composers of the day. Despite his attempts to be strict with deadlines and parameters, he falls prey to the beauty of Beethoven’s work — and his own narcissistic interests in hearing his waltz infused with greatness. Salary: $600/week. 

WHEN: 1st rehearsal: 8/17/10. Runs: 9/15 – 10/3/10

PAY: Above LORT D minimum, *See salary notes next to each role.

HOW TO AUDITION: NYC auditions will be held June 18, by appointment only. Seeking submissions from Actors' Equity Members only for these auditions.

Please read notice carefully, and submit ONLY if you are right for one of more roles.

For consideration, mail picture and resume to:

Stephanie Klapper Casting
39 West 19th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10011
Attn: 33 Variations – AEA member

Please mail hard copies only. No emailed or faxed submissions.