Black Box
Marie Glotzbach
In 1819, fledgling publisher Anton Diabelli commissioned 50 composers to write a variation on a waltz he had created. Beethoven rejected the invitation, dismissing Diabelli’s waltz as ordinary. He then changed his mind and created not one but 33 variations on Diabelli’s theme.
Why? Why would a composer at the height of his powers become obsessed with such an insignificant little waltz, and build a major work on it? Kaufman’s play weaves Beethoven’s artistic journey with that of Katherine, a contemporary musicologist wrestling to pin down the source of the composer’s fascination with the simple waltz. Deciphering clues left behind in Beethoven’s notebooks and letters, Katherine delves into his compositional process and daily life, finding even greater insight into her own obsession with genius.
Directed by Marie Glotzbach
Lighting Design: Jared Klein
Scenic Design: Andy Nice
Sound + Video Design: August Sylvester
Costume Design: Patty Pawliczak
Choreography: Mary Harney
Stage Manager: Emily Forer
Assistant Directors: Miranda Coble and Sarah Marlin
Dramaturg: Zoe Lesser
Featuring: Alec Sill, Annabelle Vaes, Coco McNeil, Ethan Embry, Hannah Curtis, Harrison Winrow, Jillienne Gladowski, Sophia Zhang, Spencer Evett, Marin Asnes
Play:
Originally produced on Broadway, 2009
by
David Binder
Ruth Hendel Barbara Whitman
Goldberg/Mills Latitude Link Arielle Tepper Madover Bill Resnick
Eric Schnall Jayne Baron Sherman Willis/True Love Productions
and
Tectonic Theater Project
(Greg Reiner, Executive Director; Dominick Balletta, General Manager; Jeffrey LaHoste, Senior Producer)