Mona Golabek

With Lee Cohen, Golabek wrote a book entitled "The Children of Willesden Lane," and Hershey Felder adapted this three years ago: hence, the current presentation which the formative Felder directs.

Golabek, at first, introduces herself, then sits at the piano and plays a short portion of the Grieg Piano Concerto. She embodies her mother, explaining that "I'm 14 years old." Lisa takes piano lessons but the upcoming one will not happen as Lisa's teacher explains that he is no longer permitted to instruct students who are Jewish. Kindertransport was the name for trains which enabled children to be taken to safe havens in England as the Nazi menace threatened. Lisa's father, a tailor by trade, did some gambling and Lisa was the one in her family fortunate enough to go to London. Other siblings stayed behind.

At the home on Willesden Lane, she meet Mrs. Cohen, who runs the house. At one point, she needs to rebuild the facility. Lisa Jura matures and comes of age there practicing piano, then playing a nearby hotel—and longing terribly for her family whose fate is unknown to her. Lisa's music keeps her breathing and, in a way, fuels her with hope.

Golabek, with vitality, deft touch, and pervasive spirit, plays selections drawn from Beethoven ("Moonlight Sonata), Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Debussy ("Clair de Lune"), Grieg and more as she reaches theatergoers' hearts through her own. When Lisa plays for money in London, she expands the repertoire to include "Strike Up the Band" and "These Foolish Things."

Lisa Jura taught Mona Golabek how to play the piano. Now, the daughter is able to sustain that poignancy through performance. At times, the artist speaks while at the keyboard; or, she steps forward with narration. This is not a play and Golabek has said that almost all is based upon actuality. Some of the alluded to moments were terribly dark. Golabek has said that "I also wanted to write the book because it was the story of British Christians who saved the lives of Jewish children. And I'm alive today because of their generosity of spirit."

In order to provide context for the piece, projections designed by Andrew Wilder and Greg Sowizdrzal are displayed toward the rear of the stage. Felder's role, adapting and directing, is, according to Golabek, pivotal. He coaxed her to wear a red wig and figuratively sit within her mother's skin.

Golabek's training is as a pianist but she is comfortable, warm, and skillful as she channels her mother. She hasn't any props but she has the Steinway grand. Thus, this is a solo show, one which is undeniably emotional. After all, 10,000 Jewish children were saved through Kindertransport.

Mona Golabek is a gifted pianist, one who has many impressive credits to her name. She presented this work in New York City last summer and continues to tour. She has founded "Hold On to Your Music" through which she tells her book's story and spreads its message to students and teachers. All the while, this keeps the precious memory of her mother's experience very much alive.

The Pianist of Willesden Lane continues at Hartford Stage through April 26th, 2015. For tickets, call (860) 527-5151 or visit www.hartfordstage.org.

Photo: Mellopix

- Fred Sokol