BWW Reviews: BEETHOVEN AND MISFORTUNE COOKIES Teaches to Take the Sour Notes in Life and Tweak Them in Your Favor

BEETHOVEN AND MISFORTUNE COOKIES is the true story of Kabin Thomas, a musician and, for eleven years, a Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas.

Ernest Harden, Jr. portrays Professor Thomas. Harden was seen at the MET Theatre in "Savage World," but is possibly best known for his extensive work in TV and film, including recurring characters on "The Jeffersons" and "Santa Barbara" and starring roles opposite Bette Davis in "White Mama" and opposite Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes in "White Men Can't Jump."

The show begins with Thomas teaching a lesson about the struggles of Beethoven, the composer of mixed European and Moorish ancestry who coped with hearing loss in his later years and creating his Ninth Symphony while deaf. Thomas compares the harsh treatment Beethoven endured at the hands of his father with his own family trials and tribulations. When Harden removes his belt and beats his desk chair as Beethoven's father beat him, the blows feel even harsher knowing they were misdirected by a man enduring his own mental anguish by taking his anger out on his son. Thomas then plays Beethoven's beautiful Moonlight Sonata, using it to teach his students that you must always take the sour notes in your life and tweak them in your favor. As you think about the pain Beethoven endured, click to listen to his masterfully crafted sonata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tr0otuiQuU

Thomas later runs into trouble with the university authorities subsequent to his teaching a lesson about Abel Meeropol and his song made famous by Billie Holiday, Strange Fruit, about the lynching of Blacks in the Deep South. Thomas accompanies the lesson with a famous photograph of lynching victims, which caused him to lose his teaching position when one white female student complained about it. When Harden shares the story of Billie Holiday's life and struggles which included being the first black singer featured with a white orchestra and her not being able to stay in the hotels where they performed in the segregated South during her lifetime, and then sharing how each time she sang the song she burst out in tears at the end, listen and I guarantee you will react the same way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs

After being relieved of his teaching position, Thomas subsequently comes to Hollywood. After donning sunglasses and coughing at L.A.'s fresh air, Thomas is cast on a reality TV show about his weight issues during which he examines his early life in Detroit. Harden takes us on Thomas' harrowing journey back to his childhood as he questions his mental health, just as Beethoven must have endured emotional turmoil after the loss of his hearing. After almost ending his own life after becoming aware of his father's early demise related to mental illness, Thomas comes to his senses and realizes he must overcome his own personal inner demons if he is to survive and attain any lasting measure of happiness. And his way is through music, just as it was with Beethoven.

As a former teacher who also dealt with being popular among my students but not with the school administration for my teaching methods, I certainly empathize with the struggles Kabin Thomas endured after the rug was pulled out from under him. I salute Ernest Harden, Jr. for shaRing Thomas' story and hope the lessons it teaches will inspire others to speak up for what they believe in and turn any hardships thrown their way into steps taken through the doorway to a better future.

BEETHOVEN AND MISFORTUNE COOKIES starring Ernest Harden, Jr., Presented by The Odyssey Theatre and CRC Entertainment at The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025.

November 17, 24, December 1 and 15. Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $25. Seniors and students $20. RESERVATIONS: (323) 960-4418. ONLINE TICKETING: www.Plays411.com/beethoven

Joni Ravenna is the playwright. A graduate of USC, her previous playwriting credits include "A Brush With Fate," "For Pete's Sake," "The Green Grocer,""Jack of Hearts," and "Sex, Love and the Premature Evacuation." She has also extensively written for television, notably music documentaries and a travel series.

T.J. Castronovo directs. He has directed many shows in L.A. (including "Brooklyn, U.S.A.," "The Leopard," "Campaign," "Women in Shorts") and off-Broadway. He is co-producer of the touring comedy "Viagra Falls." Also an actor, he was a regular on the TV series "Taxi" as Tommy the bartender, subsequently appearing in many feature films and episodics. He produced the TV series "Tales From the Darkside," for which he also directed selected episodes.

Photos of Ernest Harden, Jr, in BEETHOVEN AND MISFORTUNE COOKIES at the Odyssey Theatre. Credit: Rob Flores.

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