Not quite a spam diary, as what's being pitched here is linked to a serious effort to make a difference in the world.
Not really Shameless Self-Promotion (TM), either, as my role in the effort is rather small and unimportant.
Still, it's not Syria or rox/sux or the usual. Just thought some here might be interested.
Sep. 11-29, Southern Rep, in partnership with Mesa Production Company, will present a production of Moisés Kaufman's "33 Variations" at the Southern Rep Theater in the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.
Kaufman's play explores Ludwig van Beethoven's three-year obsession with a waltz by Anton Diabelli that led Beethoven to compose what is considered by many to be the greatest piece ever written for solo piano and a breakthrough composition that opened the floodgates of modern music.
It is also the story of Katharine Brandt, a musicologist nearly two centuries later, herself obsessed with Beethoven's obsession with Diabelli's waltz. Why, with his hearing failing and grand compositions like the Ninth Symphony and the Mass, would Beethoven spend so much time writing variations on what is, on the surface, a trifling piece?
Their stories interleave, along with their struggles against unbeatable foes, Beethoven his deafness and Brant the progress of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), shedding light on ambition and its cost, on family and laughter and frailty, as well as just how freaking brilliant the Diabelli Variations are and how much of a drag ALS is.
The producers and cast worked in close consultation with members of the ALS Association Louisiana/Mississippi Chapter to assure that the lead character's portrayal of the progress of the disease is accurate. Mesa, which specializes in partnering artistic and theatrical productions and educational/community efforts, is dedicating all the proceeds from the performance Sep. 20 to the Association and Team Gleason.Gleason himself will be on hand for this Thursday's premiere and a reception after the Sep. 20 show.
In addition, the producers are immensely fortunate to present Dr. William Kinderman, whose work on Beethoven and the Diabelli Variations was essential to Kaufman in writing the play, in a performance of and lecture on the Diabelli Variations at Loyola University Thursday the 12th. In addition, Dr. Kinderman and his wife Katherine Syer, herself a renowned musicologist, will host a program on the Variations on Friday the 13th at the CAC prior to the play.
The play and associated events were produced in association with the Friends of Music and Birdfoot Music Festival. More info at Southern Rep.
Gambit Weekly has a very good article on the production and related events here.