Chain Theatre
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A Will To Live

 

A WILL TO LIVE

Written by Helena Weinrauch

Directed by Rick Hamilton

Adapted for the Stage by Kirk Gostkowski


Starring: Masha King

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 16

In an awe-inspiring adaptation of her 1945 memoir, this one woman show takes us on an extraordinary journey through Helena Weinrauch's life and survival of three concentration camps during the Holocaust. A Will to Live is an emotional rollercoaster, from the devastating separation of loved ones and the constant threat of death to the small acts of kindness that reignited humanity's flickering flame. Be prepared to be inspired, moved, and forever changed by the resilience and continued message of love found in the darkest corners of the human experience. Helena’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust and honoring those who survived.

There will be one 10 minute intermission.

No late seating.

No refund or exchanges. 

A WILL TO LIVE, an immersive one-woman show with voices echoing from the past, features set and projection design by David Henderson (designer of the Hofstra Globe Stage), lighting design by Michael Abrams (I of the Storm), costume design by Debbi Hobson (Off Broadway's A Letter to Harvey Milk, director Evan Pappas at Theatre Row and Luft Gangster, director Austin Pendelton at the Sheen Center). Greg Russ (Garbageman, What Passes for Comedy) is the sound designer. Dramaturgical work by G.D. Kimble. Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR, Stage Managed by Shelby Pickelny (Drive By), Assistant Stage Manager Agnes Scotti, production assistant Weston Scheck.

Running Time: 2 hrs and 15 minutes and one ten-minute intermission


What the Critics Are Saying

“STUNNING. IMPORTANT. VISCERALLY REAL. A VIRTUOSO PERFORMANCE.

Director Rick Hamilton brings the play to vibrant life.

Debbi Hobson’s costume design is authentic.

Sound design (Greg Russ) is insidious, preceding awareness. From the subtlety of voices or footsteps to startling gun shots it convinces.

The play should be published.

Dramatizations concerning the Holocaust often attack an audience. Here, you’ll feel deeply moved – and angry.”

- Alix Cohen, Woman Around Town

"PURE GOLD... A MASTERFUL PERFORMANCE… RAISES THE BAR”

- Domenick Danza, More Than A Play

"INCREDIBLE ACTING"

"King takes you on Weinrauch’s terrifying journey from hell and back. Not an easy trip, but perhaps one we all should be required to take lest we begin to forget." - Electronic Link, Laurie Lawson 

"A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE…SEARING SOLO PLAY"

"LUMINOUS Ms. King delivers A CAPTIVATING AND COMMANDING PERFORMANCE."

"With her expressive voice and alluring stage presence, MS. KING IS TOWERING."

"Director Rick Hamilton’s picturesque and DYNAMIC STAGING"

"Michael Abrams’ LIGHTING DESIGN IS A VIRTUOSO DISPLAY of moody dimness with a vintage sheen, evoking the dark past that is enacted"

"Greg Russ’ STRIKING SOUND DESIGN."

- Darryl Reilly, Theaterscene.org

"ASTONISHING… RIVETING" - Sarah Downs, Front Row Center

"Helena Weinrauch’s haunting memoir of survival in three concentration camps is brought to life by a touching and respectful adaptation by Kirk Gostkowski."

"Masha King, in the role of Helena, is a stunningly gifted actress who brings pathos to a heartbreaking life on stage. As the very young Helena, she is a vibrant teen-age girl with the world and her life ahead of her. Her transition into a woman aged by war and desperation is frightening to watch in such a small space. We are right there with her."

"David Henderson’s set and projection design is on point"

"Debbi Hobson’s costumes effectively demonstrate the vast difference between living well and later, the wearing of rags."

"Greg Russ’ sound design succeeds in creating an environment where the sound of a gunshot to kill someone hangs in the air long enough to put us right there." - Tony Marinelli, Theaterscene.net 

BIOGRAPHIES  

HELENA WEINRAUCH (Playwright) *told in first-person: The worst of all fears is the fear of living! There are some problems in life that have no solution. There are some situations that simply must be lived through. Survival calls for the ability to hope and determination, but most of all: a will to live.

From the age of 16 to 21, I was a prisoner of three different Nazi concentration camps: Plaszow, Auschwitz and ultimately Bergen – Belsen.

My story is not fiction. Unfortunately, this is my true story. I wrote it 61 years ago in German and Polish. I moved to New York City in 1947 and soon translated it into English. Two people read my story – one questioned the authenticity, the other wanted to know who wrote it. I was very hurt by their reaction and decided not to show it anymore. It remained dormant and unread because as the years passed, my outlook, mentality and perception changed. I would be tempted to correct mistakes, change style, phraseology etc. I was advised not to do it – all authenticity would be lost.

My story became widely known when a friend posted a photo of me in my blue Passover sweater that was then shared 50,000 times on Facebook. “Helena Weinrauch, 95, has worn the same blue sweater to every Passover seder for the last 75 years. It’s the sweater she wore to her first Passover after surviving a Nazi concentration camp.” – Genevive Shaw Brown, Good Morning America.

So here it is – finally surfacing! We survivors of the Holocaust are almost an extinct species. My life was recorded in the documentary film Fascination: Helena’s Story by Karen Goldfarb which won the Chain NYC Film Festival Signature Award for Best Personal Story August 2019. It was here I was introduced to the Chain Theatre and the people there. Following the festival, Christina approached me about further sharing my story through the medium of theatre. I said, “Yes!”

I still live in New York City. For years I was a dental assistant. They taught me all the phases of their profession. The position followed 30 years of working with a renowned professor of cardiology and nephrology. I learned a lot – it was most stimulating and enriching, but I retired after his passing. Now I spend my time on my two passions. I dance! And I go to different schools speaking to children about the power of love and how important it is to erase the word hate from their vocabulary.

I hope that my story may bring hope and love into the lives of those who hear it.




MASHA KING (Performer) graduated from NYC’s American Musical and Dramatics Academy and began performing in off-off Broadway plays, various comedy sketches, and commercials. She is a founding member of the award-winning theatre troupe The Lost and Found Project, which is made up of all former Soviet Union Jewish immigrants and has participated in developing 4 original works with the company that were performed both in the U.S. and Russia. She toured as Anne Frank in a one-woman educational show that was curated from Anne's diary entries, directed by Hanna Vaughn in conjunction with the Anne Frank Center. Her most recent stage role was Voyage Theatre's Don't Look Back by Adam Kraar (Ensemble Cast). Notable T.V. roles include GIRLS (HBO), The Blacklist: Redemption (NBC), BLUE BLOODS (CBS), and recurring as Talia Petrov on Madam Secretary (CBS) and Sherry Henry on HIGHTOWN (STARZ). She co-starred alongside Amy Smart and Billy Zane in the feature film BLUNT, due to be released later this year.

RICK HAMILTON (Director) Managing Director of the Chain Theatre and the Chain NYC Film Festival, is an award-winning filmmaker whose short films, including “Seeing Glory,” "Choices" and "The Fear Inside" have screened around the world. He directed the hit Off-Broadway show Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies, the AUDELCO-nominated Gypsy and the world premiere staging of The Orbit of the Soul. At the Chain Theatre, he directed last season’s Mainstage production What Passes for Comedy and the workshop production of Georgie D., following its development in the Chain Play Writing Lab. His work Off-Off Broadway includes Geeks! The Musical and Sophia. Other play development work includes staged presentations of Lychee Martini, Candy Hearts, Sarah was Mine and A Retail Carol. For more information on past and current projects, please see www.rickhamilton.nyc

KIRK GOSTKOWSKI (Adaptation) Artistic Director Chain Theatre; Writing credits: Singin' All Night (Chain Theatre), Film: Leave Me Behind. Select acting credits: World Premiere of Garbageman as Dan Bandana, Nick Moroni (NYC Premiere Keith Huff’s Six Corners), World Premiere This G*d Damn House as Jacob, The Pillowman as Katurian (2016 Queens Kudos Winner Best Actor), Talk Radio as Barry Champlain (2015 NYIT Award Nominee for Outstanding Revival), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as R. P. McMurphy, Hurlyburly as Eddie, After the Fall as Quentin, Fool for Love as Eddie, In The Boom Boom Room as Al, True West as Austin, Wait Until Dark as Roat (Nominated as Best Director 2016 NYIT). He is the founder and Festival Director of the Chain NYC Film Festival. Kirk made his film directorial debut with the film Leave Me Behind, which was featured in ten film festivals worldwide, won awards, and is distributed through Screen Media Ventures. Appearing next in the feature film: My Sister’s Wedding and the short film Robotomy. Kirk is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree focused in performance.



Mainstage 3rd Floor

3RD FLOOR

312 W 36 St, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018