Mona Golabek as Lisa Jura Golabek (photo: Patrick Weishampel)
mona golabek signing CD for cindy
“Hold onto your music. It will be your best friend in life.”
Those were the words Lisa Jura received from her mother as the 13-year-old left Vienna on the Kindertransport in 1938. Lisa was already a talented pianist who dreamed of becoming a concert pianist. When German troops took over Austria, Jewish families such as hers were in significant peril. Kindertransport was a rescue effort that was able to move nearly 10,000 children to the United Kingdom from Nazi controlled countries. These children were often the only members of their family to survive the Holocaust.
At 243 Willesden Lane in London, Lisa began a new life in a hostel with thirty other children. Her story includes the realization of her dream to become a concert pianist, a move to Paris, marriage to Michel Golabek, immigration to the United States, and birth of two daughters.
One of those daughters, Mona Golabek, is the coauthor of The Children of Willesden Lane and the solo performer of the play that tells her mother’s story—“The Pianist of Willesden Lane.” This amazing performance is nearing the end of a month-long run at Portland Center Stage.
Last night Cindy and I watched and listened as Mona Golabek communicated in first person the story of her mother. As Golabek tells the story, she also plays the music that was a crucial part in her mother’s life. It’s a powerful story embracing both tragedy and triumph. The theater most often communicates through actors telling a story they first saw on a piece of paper. This was different because the actor heard the script while seated on a piano bench.