Theater will be performing the play 33 Variations for their UIL competition, with one of the leading roles Ludwing Van Beethoven, being played by senior Darel Consuega.

“Beethoven is part of three historical figures in the play,” Consuega said. “The others are Anton Diabelli, and Anton Schindler. I think it’s a great opportunity to step into a type of character I’ve never played before. As an actor, you are stepping into the shoes of another artist. I think it’s really great. It’s amazing how I can express his anger in the show. Beethoven’s soul is angry. He’s always stressed. It’s a great character.”

The role of Anton Schindler is played by sophomore Aparajitha Srinivasan. The two characters act very closely within the play, so Srinivasan has been able to watch Consuega perfect his character.

“Darel’s performance has been fantastic,” Srinivasan said. “I think he portrays Beethoven very well, and I think the audience will find him both entertaining and empathize with him. He will move the audience.”

The other Anton, Anton Diabeli, is played by junior Ciara Willis, who believes that Consuega brings a unique characterization of Beethoven.

“Darel brings a special flamboyance to the character,” Willis said. “Diabelli is a publisher of Beethoven, and the maker of the original waltz. We’ve been able to make our characters really work for the time period.”

Production for SpongeBob: The Musical lasted nearly half a year. However, due to the upcoming UIL competition, the actors must be ready within a much smaller time frame. 

“This show is coming together really fast,” Consuega said, “During The SpongeBob Musical, everything was way slower. But for this show, we had to move really fast. Meaning that on the first day of rehearsal, we had to know our lines. We had to be solid on everything. So we could bring the device acting, which is, you know, a really poetic interpretation of like lines. It’s moving your body in a way that really shows what’s happening.”

Theater’s non-musical productions have historically had a smaller attendance than their musicals, but Consuega hopes that people will be intrigued by seeing a household name like Beethoven being brought to life on stage.

“I think people will be really excited to see Beethoven in the show,” Consuega said. “It’s a name that people know and remember. I think it would be great for them to go have that little moment of like, ‘Oh, I know who Beethoven is.’”