The Pianist of Willesden Lane

The Pianist of Willesden Lane

On Stage at Kingsborough

Kingsborough Community College

November 8, 2015

Photo courtesy of On Stage at Kingsborough

This past weekend, On Stage at Kingsborough presented The Pianist of Willesden Lane.  This one woman show is “a memoir of music, love, and survival” in which Mona Golabek shares the story of her mother’s journey as a refugee during the Nazi rise to power.  The show is warm, touching, and inspiring.

Photo courtesy of The Pianist of Willesden Lane

Lisa Jura is a young piano student in Vienna.  As the Nazi regime begins to gain power, her father wins a ticket on the kindertransport in a card game.  This was a train for children to escape to London from at risk territories.  She promises her mother she will continue to study her piano.  Her mother promises to be present with her through her music.  The story is punctuated with pieces by Chopin, Debussy, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Grieg all played live by concert pianist and storyteller, Mona Golabek.  Her presence, pace, and tone are captivating, and superseded only by her skill as a concert pianist.

Photo courtesy of
The Children of Willesden Lane

The production is simply done with projections and soundscapes that enhance the emotional impact of the story.  The production is touring the U.S. and will be performing in London this winter.  It is based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane.  I bought an autographed copy of the book after the show.  Check out the book and see where else this production is playing.

I have said it before and I will say it again, if you live in south Brooklyn and are interested in inexpensive tickets to high quality performances, I highly recommend checking out On Stage at Kingsborough this season.  Located on the campus of Kingsborough Community College, parking is free and accessible.  I am looking forward to their upcoming presentation of Songs My Mother Taught Me, the cabaret act starring Lorna Luft on Saturday, November 21.

Domenick Danza