At 35, Krikler has developed a fine career, appearing at venues including the National Theatre and the Old Vic in London.
He studied musical theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon College before continuing his training at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Krikler has played leading roles in several musical productions, including Peter Pan at the Barbican Theatre in London.
In a media statement, Krikler said: "I couldn’t be more honoured and excited to be bringing Władysław’s life to the stage, especially in a way that truly celebrates his own compositions through phenomenal live musicians and orchestrations. As well as being a timely reminder of what happens when we dehumanise a particular section of society, Szpilman's story demonstrates the true universality and power of music."
The production is directed by Thom Southerland, who said he felt deeply honoured to bring the story to the stage.
"At its heart is Szpilman’s extraordinary journey of survival, but what moves me most is the humanity that shines through the darkest of circumstances," Southerland said. "It is a story about compassion, courage and the moments of kindness that can change the course of a life."
He added: "In a world that can often feel divided, it reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to sustain us, connect us and, at times, save us. I hope audiences are moved not only by what Szpilman endured, but by what he created, and by the enduring belief that even in the darkest moments, humanity and beauty can prevail."
The production will feature Szpilman's own compositions, with new musical arrangements by Simon Lee, longtime musical director to Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as new lyrics by an international group of writers, including two-time Grammy nominee Carol Connors, songwriter David Batteau, jazz singer Wendy Lands and collaborator Jim Gillard, Grammy-nominated Michael Ruff, Szpilman’s son Andreas Szpilman, and lyricist Marcy Heisler.
A total of eight performances are scheduled at Park Theatre from October 15 to November 28.
Before its London opening, the production will play a limited run at Mayflower Studios, Southampton, from September 9 to 12.
Born in 1911, Szpilman studied piano and composition in Warsaw and Berlin. He worked at Polish Radio for four years until September 23, 1939, when he performed music by Fryderyk Chopin live on air for the final time before the station ceased broadcasting following German bombardments.
Szpilman was later forced into the Warsaw Ghetto along with his parents, two sisters and brother, all of whom perished in the Holocaust.
He survived the war and, in its final months, found shelter in the ruins of Warsaw with the help of Polish friends and German army officer Wilm Hosenfeld.
After the war, Szpilman served as director of Polish Radio’s music department for nearly two decades and later founded the Warsaw Piano Quintet.
His compositional output includes around 500 songs, many of which became popular hits, as well as several symphonic works.
Szpilman published his wartime memoir shortly after World War II, but the book was soon banned by Poland's Stalinist authorities.
It was republished by Szpilman's son in 1998 in German and English and has since been translated into more than 30 languages.
The memoir was adapted into the Oscar-winning 2002 film The Pianist, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Adrien Brody.
Szpilman died in Warsaw in 2000 at the age of 88.
(mk/gs)
Source: broadwayworld.com