In this moving storytelling performance, internationally renowned concert pianist Mona Golabek performs some of the world’s most revered piano compositions as she shares her mother’s riveting story of survival during World War II. Filled with hope and the life-affirming power of music, this performance is based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane: Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Set in Vienna in 1938 and in London during the Blitzkrieg, The Children of Willesden Lane tells the true story of Lisa Jura, a young Jewish musician who is dreaming about her concert debut at the storied Musikverein concert hall. When new ordinances are issued under the Nazi regime, everything changes for Lisa, except her love of music and the pursuit of her dream.

Mona Golabek is the founder and president of the Hold OnTo Your Music Foundation. An author, recording artist, and renowned concert pianist, she learned to play the piano from her mother, Holocaust survivor Lisa Jura, whose stories inspired the critically-acclaimed book, The Children Of Willesden Lane. Her father, Michel Golabek, fought valiantly in the French resistance and received the Croix de Guerre. A Grammy nominee, Mona is a prolific recording artist and has been the subject of several documentaries including Concerto for Mona with conductor Zubin Mehta. Her discography includes the best-selling Carnival of the Animals and Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, both recorded with her sister Renee. They feature the voices of Meryl Streep, Audrey Hepburn, Ted Danson and Lily Tomlin. Through all of her work, Mona holds on to the music that saved her mother’s life, fulfilling the promise Lisa made to her mother.

Suitable for adults and children ages 9 and up (75 minutes, no intermission).

“A stirring case of art preserving life…Golabek sitting down at the Steinway piano is enough to make your mouth fall open with a certain wonder at the way of the world.”  – Chicago Tribune