Quentin Chisholm as Beethoven, Sandy Clancy as Constanze Mozart, and Jesse Kodama as Mozart, photo by Andrea Phox
The New Jersey Repertory Company is previewing a new play with a unique slant to it. The Vienna Lessons is set in 1787 and 1797 Vienna. It is an imagined play about what might have happened if Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven had met and spent time together. The play, written by Jack Canfora, is directed by Evan Bergman. It incorporates original music written by Jeremiah Bornfield. It also features some of the great works of each of the composers.
The story is told through dialog that is thoughtfully written with a combination of comedy and drama. It is delivered by a cast of three people who do a superb job of bringing their characters to life. The cast includes Quentin Chisholm as Beethoven, Sandy Clancy as Constanze Mozart, and Jesse Kodama as Mozart.
Dialog exchanges bring out issues that each of the composers had growing up. Beethoven’s father was hard on him. Mozart’s father had to deal with his prodigy son. He also was hard on him at times. But the dialog advances as the story unfolds to their present time where an imagined collaboration evolves. This collaboration would have been interesting to see actually happen as both of these men were genius composers of their time.
Overall the play is a joy to see particularly if you enjoy classical music. It is fun to watch each of the composers compliment each other but also seek to advance themselves. The emergence of Constanze Mozart is a study of a woman ahead of her time as she helps keep Mozart from losing his home.
Beethoven Seeks out Mozart
As the play/musical begins, it is 1787. Mozart has emerged from the child prodigy phrase of his life. He has achieved success with his many compositions. However, he is struggling financially. This play assesses his age as 31. He is married to Constanze who is a woman with a practical head on her shoulders. Mozart wants to achieve success for many reasons especially to please his wife.
Beethoven is depicted as 16 years old. Although he is younger than Mozart, the play shows him to be serious and very confident especially for his young age. His reason for meeting Mozart is to hire him as a teacher. He also thinks Mozart is the greatest composer in Vienna.
In an early scene, he plays a piece of music he has composed. It is almost as if he is auditioning to become Mozart’s pupil. The discussion between the two men brings out a lot of their own thinking and it shows how there are similarities but differences as well. Mozart agrees to take Beethoven on twice a week with lessons held in his home. He can certainly use the money that Beethoven will pay him for lessons.
Quentin Chisholm as Beethoven,and Jesse odama as Mozart, photo by Andrea Phox
As their work continues, Mozart continues to have financial problems. Guided by his wife, he seeks to eliminate them. It reaches a point where they might be thrown out of their living quarters.
The play provides a way to look at these two genius composers and see what they may have been like in their everyday lives.
Epilogue 1797
This short final piece occurs after Mozart’s much too early death at 35 years old. Constanze visits Beethoven in his apartment in Vienna. He offers his condolences to her as he does miss Mozart. She is surviving fairly well as evidenced by the cakes she has purchased for Beethoven that she brings with her.
However, the most critical part of the visit occurs when Constanze recognizes that Beethoven is starting to loose his hearing. In a remarkable use of sound staging, the audience gets to experience what he might have had going on with his hearing loss. The loss was gradual but this moment gives a glimpse of what is to come for him.
Staging Techniques Enhance the Story of The Vienna Lessons
The creative team does remarkable work on this show. It starts with the stage placement of the all important piano. Most times when a piano is used on stage, it is set sideways allowing the audience to see the hand movements of the pianist. For The Vienna Lessons, the piano is turned so that the man seated to play has the entire piano in front of him. You can see motion taking place but it is not the actor playing. Instead, music is used so that you have the feel of actual live music being played.
As mentioned above, one of the most effective sound techniques is in the Epilogue when Beethoven’s hearing loss becomes more apparent. The audience experiences what sounds he might be hearing as a unique use of stage equipment simulates it. This is definitely one of the most stirring moments in the show.
The music plays at various points in the play which is effective in carrying out the theme of the two composers working together. Credit goes to Jeremiah Bornfield for Original Music. Sound design credit goes to Nick Simone.
Scenic design credit goes to Jessica Parks. Patricia E. Doherty handles costume design, and lighting design credit goes to Jill Nagel. Stage Manager for the show is Rose Riccardi.
Go to See The Vienna Lessons
The Vienna Lessons continues its run at the New Jersey Repertory Company through June 28, 2026 at 179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ.
Tickets are available for purchase at the Box Office or on the NJ Rep website.
