On Monday night, two-time Academy Award winner Jane Fonda returned to Broadway in the new play 33 Variations at the Eugene O’Neill Theater.
Moises Kaufman wrote and directed the play, which is about a dying musicologist trying to solve the mystery of Beethoven’s “Diabelli Variations.”
Zach Grenier gives a crowd-pleasing performance as the fiery Beethoven.
Samantha Mathis and Colin Hanks co-star as Katherine’s daughter Clara and nurse Mike, who end up romantically involved.
Among the opening night guests were the one-and-only Dolly Parton, who starred with Fonda in the film 9 to 5, which Parton has just musicalized for Broadway.
Stephanie J. Block will play Fonda’s role of Judy in the musical 9 to 5, which bows at the Marquis Theatre next month.
Film star Rose McGowan added a definite touch of glamour to the festivities.
Playwright Eve Ensler actually suggested that good pal Fonda do the play!
Here’s the multi-talented Rosie O’Donnell, who recently starred in the TV movie America.
Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush is currently making his Broadway debut in Eugene Ionesco’s Exit the King.
Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce returns to the Great White Way next month in MTC’s revival of Accent on Youth.
Valerie Harper will soon return to the stage as Tallulah Bankhead in Looped at the Arena Stage in Virginia.
Theater favorite John Cameron Mitchell was a welcome addition to opening night.
Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner is currently preparing a series of new plays to premiere next month at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.
Finally, here’s Phylidda Lloyd, director of the much-awaited upcoming Broadway production of Mary Stuart, with the show’s star, Tony winner Janet McTeer.
For TheaterMania’s review of 33 Variations, click here.
