Featured Performer of the Week: Mona Golabek
By: BWW Special Coverage May. 01, 2013
BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present its latest feature series: The Performer of the Week! Get to know these amazing talents as they share a bit about themselves, their work and life!
This week, we're thrilled to feature concert pianist and Grammy nominee Mona Golabek!
About Mona
American concert pianist Mona Golabek has appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center and the Royal Festival Hall alongside major orchestras worldwide. A Grammy nominee, she has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Avery Fisher Prize and the People's Award of the International Chopin Competition and has been the subject of several PBS television documentaries.
Ms. Golabek is the creator and voice of The Romantic Hours, a syndicated radio program which combines classical music with readings of poetry, letters, and stories, and can be heard on 80 stations and XM Satellite Radio.
Ms. Golabek and her family are founders of the non-profit Hold On To Your Music, which spreads the message of the power of the arts, especially music, to embolden the human spirit.
In addition, Ms. Golabek and Lee Cohen are award-winning authors of The Children of Willesden Lane, the book upon which The Pianist of Willesden Lane is based.
We've Got Questions!
1) What are you working on right now?
We opened my show, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, in Chicago on April 19th. I am incredibly excited to share my mother's story with Chicago audiences and am immersing myself back into the world of Vienna and London in the 1930's and 40's.
2) What has been your professional biggest accomplishment so far?
Hands down, it is the theatrical production of The Pianist of Willesden Lane. I have performed all across America and in many countries, but doing this show is my most fervent accomplishment. Every night, I feel so grateful to walk out and tell my parents' story and see how it touches and enters the hearts of my audience.
3) Share your funniest or worst audition moment
I was onstage with a violinist. I began the first four bars of introduction, waiting for him to start playing. He didn't. I began again. He still didn't. Then I looked up and saw his fingers were caught in the violin sound holes and he was attempting to free them!
I kept playing until he did. After all, the show must go on.
4) What's your dream role?
My dream came true - playing my mother in The Pianist of Willesden Lane.
5) If you weren't a performer, what would you be?
I would probably be a doctor. I think it is amazing to help others through difficult times, see folks get well, and I have seen firsthand the incredible energy and caring of those working in hospitals and the differences they make in the lives of others.
However, I would also consider being an airline pilot....and go see the world!
6) Where do you see yourself in 5, 10 years?
My dream is to bring my show to as many audiences as possible. I hope that I will have those opportunities and ultimately bring the show to the London stage.
7) Where can people find you online?
Our website is www.ThePianistofWillesdenLane.com and find us on Facebook here.
Thanks, Mona!
BWW wants to feature YOU! Interested? Contact romi@broadwayworld.com and we'll get you set up!
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