Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane at the Geffen Playhouse (SOLD OUT)
Join us for this matinee performance of The Pianist of Willesden Lane followed by a special Q and A after the event with Mona Golabek, the star of this critically acclaimed program.
Sunday, August 19, 2012 @ 2:00 PM
The Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024
Register now through the Geffen website or call 310-208-2028. Use promo code "FRIEND"
The August 19th performance is sold out. This show has been extended through September 15th.
Hershey Felder and the Geffen Playhouse
Present the One More Entertainment and Trevor Hay Production of
Mona Golabek in
The Pianist of Willesden Lane
Set in Vienna in 1938 and London during the Blitzkrieg, The Pianist of Willesden Lane tells the story of Lisa Jura, a young Jewish pianist who is dreaming about her concert debut at the storied Musikverein concert hall. But with the issuing of new ordinances under the Nazi regime, everything for Lisa changes, except for her love of music and the pursuit of her dream. Featuring some of the world's most beloved piano music played live, The Pianist of Willesden Lane is performer Mona Golabek's true family story, chronicling hope, survival and how through our darkest times, music has the power to help us survive. "Elegant ... Heartfelt ... Enthralling" "An arresting, deeply affecting triumph" "An undiluted privilege to witness" - Los Angeles Times
"Elegant ... Heartfelt ... Enthralling"
"An arresting, deeply affecting triumph"
"An undiluted privilege to witness" - Los Angeles Times
This is a ONE-WOMAN SHOW. Ms. Golabek does everything--all the narration, plays all the characters and performs excerpts of many great works of the classical piano repertoire on the Steinway piano on stage--all by herself, and without any intermission or other breaks.
It is really an amazing, one-of-a-kind event.
This event is being held at the Geffen Playhouse, in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. It is a small theater, with about 120 seats. Because this is an intimate theater, there are no bad seats!
Cost: $60 per person (discounted from the regular price of $83)
Contact: Herb Goldman, herbdavid1@gmail.com or 818-994-7098
Register now through the Geffen website or call 310-208-2028. Use promo code "FRIEND"
PARKING DETAILS ($4 with validation):
Palazzo Parking Structure: 1010 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Located 1.5 blocks away and even closer to many restaurant partners of the Geffen.
Phone: 310.208.4549
Rate: $4 with validation (please request a validation ticket from the box office or concierge upon entering the theater)
*Payment by credit card is available immediately at the gate arm when exiting. Patrons paying in cash are asked to pay at the pay station on the street level.
MONA GOLABEK
American concert pianist Mona Golabek has appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center and Royal Festival Hall. A Grammy nominee, she has received numerous awards including the Avery Fisher Prize. She has been the subject of several documentaries including Concerto for Mona, with conductor Zubin Mehta. Ms. Golabek's syndicated radio program, The Romantic Hours, combines music with poetry. Her recordings include Carnival of the Animals and Ravel's Mother Goose Suite, featuring Meryl Streep, both recorded with Ms. Golabek's sister, Renee. Both daughters were taught by their mother, Lisa Jura, who is the subject ot Ms. Golabek's acclaimed book, The Children of Willesden Lane. Ms. Golabek founded Hold On To Your Music, a foundation devoted to spreading the message ot the power ot music. With the help of the Milken Family Foundation and the Annenberg Foundation, she created educational resources which, with her book, have been adopted into school curricula across America.
REVIEWS:
Broadway World
"It is her mother's own story, perhaps told to her many times over as she grew to maturity, so it's a familiar one, one that she feels to the depths of her soul. She paints the long, hard journey as if it were her own and happening for the very first time... fresh, not without its torture and heartbreak, but always theatrically splendid."
The Examiner – Audrey Linden
"Lisa’s dream also was to have a daughter to carry on the tradition of music in her family and Mona Golabek is the fulfillment of her mother’s dream. The gift of music continues. Her mother and grandmother would be very proud of Mona Golabek. Dreams do come true."
Los Angeles Times
"That’s par for the course of the rarefied ability and captivating story that Golabek shares with us. It makes her unforgettable tribute an undiluted privilege to witness."
L.A. Backstage
“The Pianist of Willesden Lane" is a touching and reassuring reminder that the ageless magnificence of great art can stubbornly, resolutely overshadow man's inhumanity to man. It's a message told with exquisite beauty and breathtakingly simple benevolence by Golabek and Felder, two world-class talents who epitomize the concept of artistic collaboration trumping all obstacles."
Performing Arts Live
"It is a privilege to be in the audience! This is a must for all theater goers and is one of our FEATURED events."
Total Theater.com
"And when it comes time for her to recreate her mother`s musical triumphs, she comes through thrillingly on the grand piano, dashing off pieces by Bach, Debussy, Mozart and Greig with astonishing skill and flair."
Santa Monica Mirror
“An evening of award-winning concert pianist Mona Golabek caressing the piano with the touch of a genius, gracefully capturing every note with the appropriate dynamism would be a treat unto itself, but coupled with the compelling narrative, “The Pianist of Willesden Lane” is a mesmerizing theatrical event and a tribute to the resiliency and determination of one little girl who, despite impossible obstacles, pursues her dream to fruition."
L.A. Weekly
"She reminds us of the transformative power of art in even the darkest of times."
Stage Happenings
“…Golabek brings all of the characters to life, and as she tells her family story, it is difficult not to shed tears. While she performs the compositions by Grieg, Chopin, Mozart, the music that meant so much to her mother, hearing and seeing the passion in her interpretations, is touching as well.”