20544: A Musical Story of Resilience is a deeply moving solo theatrical storytelling and music performance recounting the true story of Russell Kaback’s grandfather, Szyjek Magier, a Jewish Polish teenager who survived four years in Nazi labor and concentration camps during World War II. 

Combining original songs, live guitar, physicality, and sound effects, the performance explores resilience, family memory, and human connection in the face of adversity. Developed through personal interviews, survivor testimony, and historical research, 25044 balances emotional immediacy with historical clarity.

Russell Kaback is a storyteller, musician, and educator whose solo work 25044: A Musical Story of Resilience blends theatrical storytelling, original songwriting, and expressive physical performance into an immersive, one-man theatrical experience. Rooted in musical theatre traditions and shaped by sound effects, gesture, and movement, the piece explores family memory, survival, and the enduring power of hope in difficult times.

Following the performance is a live Q&A, hosted by Russel Kaback.