On Stage
Perseverance debuted at Pittsburgh’s Prime Stage Theatre in April 2023.
In late 2021, Prime Stage Theatre contacted Lee with a proposal to commission a theatrical adaptation of her book, bringing the Goldman family’s story to the stage. The theater company commissioned Pittsburgh-based playwright L. E. McCullough to develop the adaptation throughout 2022, later inviting Lee’s family to provide historical background and creative input. In early 2023, Prime Stage Theatre received its first-ever National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant to support the production. This compelling one-act play tells Melvin Goldman’s story in his own words, while introducing his family, including his own wife and daughter; and showing how a remarkable man overcame terrible atrocities through hope, tenacity, and perseverance.
Perseverance interviews
Perseverance trailer - Prime Stage Theatre - Pittsburgh PA
Perseverance, our co-production with the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, is available to stream online April 24th-May 7th. Join us for the powerful true story of Melvin Goldman, who endured the horrors of Auschwitz before rebuilding his life as a jeweler in Pittsburgh and replacing Darkness with Light, one shop patron at a time. Purchase a recorded streaming link at primestage.com!
Prime Stage Theatre Perseverance Interview
Author, playwright and family discuss the book and play. Prime Stage production of PERSEVERANCE. Based on the Book Perseverance: One Holocaust Survivor's Journey from Poland to America by Melvin Goldman and Lee Goldman Kikel
Perseverance Director and Cast Interviews
The Director and Cast discuss Prime Stage Theatre's production of Perseverance.
Saturday Light Brigade Interview:
Playwright L.E. McCullough discusses Perseverance.
Click the image to access the interview.