THEATREWORKS SILICON VALLEY EXTENDS A TRIUMPHANT TOUR DE FORCE Hershey Felder presents Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane Based on the book the Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek & Lee Cohen Adapted and Directed by Hershey Felder January 15 – February 16, 2020 (opening night: January 18, 2020) MOUNTAIN VIEW CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA (2 December 2019) —Due to popular demand, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will extend its upcoming run of internationally-acclaimed The Pianist of Willesden Lane through February 16, adding five performances. Starring celebrated pianist Mona Golabek, this triumphant tour de force recounts the inspiring true story of Golabek’s mother, Lisa Jura, a young Jewish musician. Created and directed by TheatreWorks favorite Hershey Felder, this musical journey follows Jura’s escape from Nazi-occupied Austria via the Kindertransport, and her life at a children’s home on Willesden Lane in London, where she later survived the London Blitz. Combining vivid storytelling and masterful performances of classics by Bach, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff, The Pianist of Willesden Lane is a one-woman show that illustrates how music can bring light and hope to even the darkest of times. The Pianist of Willesden Lane, which was originally scheduled to close February 9, will now play January 15 – February 16, 2020 (press opening: January 18, 2020) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Mountain View, CA 94041. For tickets ($30-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

This astonishing work has captivated audiences and critics alike in sold-out runs across the country. Premiering at the Geffen Playhouse, The Times proclaimed, “This elegant, heartfelt solo show is an arresting, deeply affecting triumph.” The New York Times awarded The Pianist of Willesden Lane a Critic’s Pick, praising it as “Deeply affecting,” and San Francisco Chronicle gave the musical masterpiece its highest rating, deeming it “stunningly good.” The Washington Post lauded Golabek’s performance, saying her “technique and musicality are

______MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Goldfarb, CARLA BEFERA & CO. 3600 West Bayshore Road, Suite 201/ Palo Alto, ca 94303 Phone 650.327.1200 Fax 650.327.6700 Email: [email protected]

tremendous. The classical music Golabek plays is such a powerful presence — and one so integral to this affecting and intimate show — that it almost deserves its own curtain call.” BroadwayWorld called the show “A timeless piece of storytelling. Mona Golabek channels emotion into the keys. The Pianist of Willesden Lane is one story worth seeing and listening to.”

Mona Golabek is an internationally-renowned concert pianist, actor, author, and radio host. She is the subject of several documentaries including More Than Music and A Concert for Mona. A Grammy nominee, Golabek has performed concerts across the globe, including performances at the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Festival Hall. Golabek’s recordings include the best-selling Carnival of the Animals, featuring the voices of , Ted Danson, and others; Ravel’s Mother Goose, featuring ; and the Piano Trios of Arensky and Tchaikovsky, recorded in collaboration with her sister, Renee Golabek- Kaye. Golabek is the founder and president of the nonprofit Hold On To Your Music, and the host of classical music radio show “The Romantic Hours,” which blends classical music with readings of love letters and poetry.

Hershey Felder (Director and Adapter) is an actor, pianist, writer, director, composer, conductor, and producer who has conjured the spirits of George Gershwin, Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, Leonard Bernstein, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Claude Debussy, and Irving Berlin. Felder’s solo shows have been seen across America — at the Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage, San Diego Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Old Globe Theatre, American Repertory Theater, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Cleveland Playhouse, as well as long runs at Chicago’s Royal George Theatre and engagements at New York’s Town Hall, 59E59, and the Streicker Center. Throughout the past 20 years, he has given more than 5,000 performances. Described by American Theatre Magazine as “a seductive portraitist, compelling storyteller, and superb concert pianist,” Felder’s work was named one of TIME Magazine’s 2016 Top Plays and Musicals. While making his TheatreWorks directorial debut with The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Felder has become an enormous Bay Area favorite onstage—audiences packed last season’s World Premiere of Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story at TheatreWorks, as well as the

______MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Goldfarb, CARLA BEFERA & CO. 3600 West Bayshore Road, Suite 201/ Palo Alto, ca 94303 Phone 650.327.1200 Fax 650.327.6700 Email: [email protected]

2019 Tony Award-winning company’s regional premieres of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin; Hershey Felder, Beethoven; and Our Great Tchaikovsky.

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is the recipient of the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award. With over 100,000 patrons per year, the Palo Alto-based theatre company has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatregoers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast locally and from across the country.

Media sponsor for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 2019/2020 season is the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGATE.

For Calendar Editors:

WHAT: Due to popular demand, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will extend its upcoming run of internationally-acclaimed The Pianist of Willesden Lane through February 16, adding five performances. Starring celebrated pianist Mona Golabek, this triumphant tour de force recounts the inspiring true story of Golabek’s mother, Lisa Jura, a young Jewish musician. Created and directed by TheatreWorks favorite Hershey Felder, this musical journey follows Jura’s escape from Nazi- occupied Austria via the Kindertransport, and her life at a children’s home on Willesden Lane in London, where she later survived the London Blitz. Combining vivid storytelling and masterful performances of classics by Bach, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff, The Pianist of Willesden Lane is a one-woman show that illustrates how music can bring light and hope to even the darkest of times. This astonishing work has captivated audiences in sold-out runs across the country and was called “stunningly good” by the San Francisco Chronicle.

WHEN: Previews: Wednesday, January 15 – Friday, January 17, 2020 Opening: Saturday, January 18, 2020 Closes: Sunday, February 16, 2020

SHOWS: Previews: 8:00pm Tuesdays: 7:30pm Wednesdays: 7:30pm Thursdays: 8:00pm Fridays: 8:00pm Saturdays: 2:00pm, 8:00pm Sundays: 2:00pm, 7:00pm ______MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Goldfarb, CARLA BEFERA & CO. 3600 West Bayshore Road, Suite 201/ Palo Alto, ca 94303 Phone 650.327.1200 Fax 650.327.6700 Email: [email protected]

WHERE: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. Mountain View, CA 94041

TICKETS: $30-$100; savings available for educators, seniors, active military, and patrons 35 and under. Single tickets are now available. Pricing subject to change.

INFO: For information or to order tickets visit theatreworks.org or call (650) 463-1960

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PRESS: Contact Lauren Goldfarb, Carla Befera & Co. 650.327.1200 | [email protected]

PHOTOS: Downloadable high-res photos are available here: http://cbpr.co/press/pianistofwillesdenlane

______MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Goldfarb, CARLA BEFERA & CO. 3600 West Bayshore Road, Suite 201/ Palo Alto, ca 94303 Phone 650.327.1200 Fax 650.327.6700 Email: [email protected]