GOAT IN THE ATTIC
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF LIFE IN POLAND DURING WORLD WAR II
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 16, 2 PM
WHERE: Collective Art Tank, 529 Bangs Ave., Asbury Park
ADMISSION: Suggested donation of $7.
Honoring 75 years since the beginning of World War II, Black Box announced plans to feature the personal short stories of life in Poland during Nazi occupation by Sophie Stach Virgilio at its November Monthly Reading Series.
“Each of Sophie’s stories—or monologues—are distinctly compelling, in addition to revealing a unique and personal perspective of a time in world history,” said Alexis Kozak, president of Black Box. “I am not aware of any other writing that is this detailed, raw and personal, revealing life in Poland during Hitler’s occupation. November’s Reading Series is for history buffs as well as theater fans.”
Virgilio and Barbara Panas, local part-time actor, will read the stories. Alexis Kozak is producing and directing the event.
Virgilio was eight months old when Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. During Hitler’s occupation and the beginning of communism, she lived on a farm in Godowa, Poland with her Aunt and two cousins. Through the eyes of a young girl (she immigrated to the US in 1949), hear compelling, personal short stories / monologues sharing, previously unspoken details of ordinary life in extraordinary historic circumstances, including:
- Gestapo inspections of the farm
- How friendships literally became life-saving
- Hiding cows to help family survive
- A Christmas pageant while Nazis stood blocks away
“These are stories I never thought I would share,” said Virgilio. “Thanks to the encouragement and support of Black Box’s Jeffrey (Seeds), Veronica (Lake) and Alexis (Kozak) and my son, I was able to share memories that are still so very vivid.”
