Best Play Tony Nominee has its area premiere at Park Square

October 10 November 2

Internationally recognized concert pianist Irina Elkina will perform the all-Beethoven score of 33 VARIATIONS

Saint Paul, Minn., Oct. 3, 2014 Park Square has added concert pianist Irina Elkina to Moisés Kaufmans 33 VARIATIONS. Edwin Strout and Karen Landry* play Ludwig van Beethoven and Dr. Katherine Brandt.

We are so fortunate to have Irina in this play, says Artistic Director Richard Cook she brings an incredible dimension to our stage. I look forward to bringing Beethoven AND his music to life every performance.

33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli is now considered to be among the greatest of its kind. This odd chapter in music history captivates the musicologist Katherine Brandt, who puts her life, family and health on hold to take off for Vienna, where both she and Ludwig get more than they have ever bargained for.

Irina Elkina is an internationally recognized concert pianist, known particularly for piano duo performances with her twin sister Julia, bringing brilliant interpretations of two-piano repertoire. Elkina sisters have won first prizes at Citta di Marsala (Italy) and Forth Murray Dranoff International Two Piano Competition. They have performed in such venues as Ordway Center in St. Paul, Lincoln Center in New York and appeared in numerous festivals including Ravinia, Gilmore Keyboard Festival and Minnesota Orchestra Sommerfest. Irina and Julia have been frequent guests on National Public Radio and performed on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. Irina is a graduate of St. Petersburg Conservatory (Russia) and holds a Doctoral degree in Piano Performance from the University of Minnesota. She has taught at the Levine School of Music and Washington Conservatory of Music, served as chair of the Keyboard Department at MacPhail Center for Music, where she presently teaches piano and leads Crescendo for Piano Program. Irina Elkina headshot CLICK HERE

Jennifer Maren (Clara Brandt), Nathan Cheeseman (Mike Clark), Peter Simmons (Anton Diabelli), Michelle Meyers* (Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger) and Robert-Bruce Brake* (Anton Schindler) round out the top-notch cast.

The 33 VARIATIONS is directed by James Rocco**. The production team includes Andrea M. Gross (Costume Designer), Rob Jensen (Set Designer) Sadie Ward (Properties Designer), Mike P. Kittel (Lighting Designer) and Anita Kelling (Sound Designer). Charles Fraser* is stage manager and Laura Topham, assistant stage manager.

Performance Schedule: Place.Previews begin Friday, October 10 and run through October 16. October 17 is Opening Night, and the run continues through November 2. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday performances, which begin at 2 p.m. All performances are in the companys 348-seat proscenium stage in Saint Pauls historic Hamm Building, 20 W. Seventh

Ticket prices: Previews: $25 and $35. Regular Run: $38 and $58. A $2 facility fee will be added to each ticket to help maintain Park Squares two stages. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square box office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.

*Member, Actors Equity Association

**Member, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

CALENDAR INFORMATION

Previews: October 10-16

Regular Run: October 17 November 2

Tickets: Previews: $25/$35; 99¢ Night on Oct. 14; Regular Run: $38/$58

a $2 facility fee is added to each ticket

PARK SQUARE THEATRE, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul