The Malibu High School (MHS) Theatre Department, along with Arts Angels, presented the MHS Fall Play — “33 Variations.” The four performances took place on Thursday, Nov. 19 through Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
“33 Variations” is a play by Moisés Kaufman which is inspired by Ludwig van Beethoven’s famous piano piece, the Diabelli Variations, which are 33 variations of the same waltz. The play delves into the creative process of Beethoven, played by Gabe Deibel, as well as the quest of musicologst Katherine Brandt, played by Nancy Walecki, to learn why the musician explored the waltz in so much depth. The story also examines Beethoven’s progressive hearing loss, as well as Brandt’s struggles with her developing ALS and her relationship with her daughter Clara, played by Winona Weber.
