Beth Broderick and Anton Nel to Lead ZACH's 33 VARIATIONS

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by BWW News Desk

ZACH Theatre - Austin's Theatre and Texas' longest running theatre, in the first season on the Karen Kuykendall Stage in its new Topfer Theatre, presents:

The Texas Premiere of 33 VARIATIONS
Written by Moisés Kaufman
Directed by DAVE STEAKLEY

In a major coup for ZACH, Anton Nel, one of the world's greatest concert pianists, brings Beethoven's Diabelli Variations to brilliant life in this Texas premiere. Mother and music scholar Katherine Brandt, played by TV and film star Beth Broderick is coming to terms with her daughter. Beethoven is coming to terms with his genius. And even though separated by 200 years, these two talented people share an obsession that makes time stand still in this extraordinary Broadway play about passion, ferocious tenacity, and moments of beauty that transform our lives.

ZACH's Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley says: "Piano virtuoso Anton Nel, who is a ZACH subscriber and donor, approached me about a year and a half ago with the idea of doing 33 VARIATIONS with him playing Beethoven's '33 Diabelli Variations' live on stage. I was thrilled that Anton would consider carving out such a large chunk of time from his international touring schedule to make this possible for us, and for all of the Austinites who will get to savor this experience. We have a rich history with playwright Moises Kaufman, having produced both halves of The Laramie Project, so I'm delighted we will produce the Texas premiere of his extraordinary new American play about the moments of beauty that can transform a life."

ZACH's production of 33 VARIATIONS features an all-star cast: Beth Broderick (famous for her role as "Aunt Zelda Spellman" in television's Sabrina the Teenage Witch) as Katherine Brandt, ANTON NEL on piano, BRIAN COUGHLIN as Anton Diabelli, LINCOLN THOMPSON as Mike Clark, BARBARA CHISOLM as Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger, CHRISTIN SAWYER DAVIS as Clara Brandt, JONATHAN POLLEI as Anton Schindler, and a New York guest T.B.A. as Ludwig von Beethoven.

Scenic Design by Cliff Simon · Lighting Design by Michelle Habeck · Costume Design by ALISON HERYER · Sound Design by CRAIG BROCK · Properties Design by JUSTIN COX · Stage Management by BRYAN BRADFORD and Sarah Chapman

WHERE
ZACH's new Topfer Theatre, 202 South Lamar Blvd.
(corner of Riverside Drive and South Lamar Blvd.)

WHEN
33 VARIATIONS Previews January 23-30.
Champagne Opening and Press Night is Thursday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception with the stars of show.
GLBT Wilde Party with pre-show mixer is Thursday, January 24.
Performances continue through February 17, 2013.

Performances: Wednesday - Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

TICKETS
To order tickets call 512-476-0541 ext. 1 or visit www.zachtheatre.org. Tickets range from $25-$65. Student Rush Tickets: $18 one hour before showtime (with valid ID). ZACH's full bar featuring signature cocktails and hor'dourves boxes opens one hour prior to showtime and remains open for one hour post-show.

For real-time updates on ZACH Theatre news, events and happenings, visit http://www.zachtheatre.org/blog, be a fan of ZACH Theatre on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/zachtheatre, and follow ZACH on Twitter @zachtheatre http://www.twitter.com/zachtheatre.