Irena's Vow

Last week, I went to see "Irena's Vow" on Broadway, thanks for the recommendation from social/political blogger Ryan J. Davis (thanks again, ryan!). Unfortunately, I was dateless to the event, but was happy to have an empty chair beside me, to hold my red wine.
I had a lovely time at the theater, and am always interested in plays about the holocaust. It is a subject that is timeless in it's message and urgent to be told..as the real Irena would say "before history repeats itself. The message of universal love, and the power to look evil in the face and refuse to give in to it's iron fist is very important now and forever. There was a moment in the play (spoiler alert!) where one of the jewish women in hiding has to make a decision whether or not to have a child (she finds herself pregnant...even under such difficult circumstances)...it's a matter of life and death. The woman can abort the baby and help protect those in hiding...or she can have baby and risk their capture. Irena makes it very clear that if the baby is aborted, than hitler wins. It was a very interesting dilemna that I found myself on both sides of, at different times in the play.
The play used video clips as part of the multimedia set design. It was very enjoyable connecting the film world with live theater and I think it's a very effective storytelling method. There was a moment in the play where Irena described the gathering and murdering of Jews within a ghetto and as the story built, red light gathered on the back drop, making a very clear and powerful statement that I will never forget. The power of hate is a very scary and persuasive tool.
The acting was great...many very real, and intimate moments. However the leading lady's reputation proceeds herself (and if the 75% name above the title, full page bio, and only character in color on the poster doesn't give it away...then I dont know what will). There was a moment when Irena (Tovah Feldshuh) turns to the audience and says "I love you all, I really do" and I couldn't help but feel like maybe she expected us to same the same thing back to her. In that moment...I didn't see humble Irena.
The writing was a good mix between drama and comedy while pushing the narrative forward. There were times I felt it felt distinctly North American and a little contemporary but as I said, the story is timeless and I think that it helps to translate the themes to a new audience.
If you are in the New York City area this spring/summer and you want to laugh and cry...go see Irena's Vow on Broadway. The story is important to share.
-Ryan Balas
ryan@ryanbalas.com

Click the photo, to see the official Irena's Vow website!

One woman. Twelve lives. Only one choice.

Following a triumphant sold-out engagement, four-time Tony Award® nominee Tovah Feldshuh returns to Broadway in the critically acclaimed, tremendously moving new play, IRENA’S VOW.

Featuring a cast of ten, IRENA’S VOW is the riveting, life-affirming story about one of the most courageous and unsung heroines of World War II. During the German occupation of Poland, Irena Gut Opdyke, a Polish Catholic, was forced to work as head housekeeper for a prominent German major. Over a two-year period of service, Irena would risk her own life in order to protect the lives of twelve Jewish refugees whom she secretly took under her care. IRENA’S VOW is the extraordinary true story of one woman’s choice and the twelve lives that would ultimately be saved - or lost - by her decision.

IRENA’S VOW marks Tovah Feldshuh’s first return to Broadway since her incomparable performance
in GOLDA’S BALCONY.

The production is looking for relatives and descendants of the Jews Irena saved.
If you have any information, please email: IrenasVowSurvivors@gmail.com