Written by Dan Gordon
Directed by Michael Parva
Synopsis: Dan Gordon's play is the uplifting true story about one of the most courageous and unsung heroines of World War II. During the German occupation of Poland, Irena Gut Opdyke (played by Feldshuh), a Polish Catholic, was forced to work as head housekeeper for a very prominent Nazi major. Over a two year period of service, Irena would risk her own life in order to save the lives of twelve Jewish refugees whom she secretly took under her care. Michael Parva directs.
NEW YORK TIMES:
"Susceptible audiences will want to practice their hisses and prime their tear ducts before attending this efficiently manipulative drama covering territory that is rather too frequently exploited for its undeniable emotional force."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK POST:
"A play about a young Catholic Pole who risked everything to help a dozen Jews during WWII is slip pery ground for a critic -- espe cially when it's based on a real-life hero, Irena Gut Opdyke. Nobody wants to be the heartless Grinch who points out that a Holocaust drama is flawed. Oh well, here I go then . ."
Read the whole review HERE.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS:
"Re-reviewing a play brings a logical question: Did I get it right the first time? With "Irena's Vow," now open on Broadway after a run last fall at Baruch College, the answer's yes. Dan Gordon's play starring Tovah Feldshuh in the title role is still gripping and gets the tear ducts flooding; it's that kind of play."
Read the whole review HERE.
THEATERMANIA:
"There's much to be said for Michael Parva's sensitive direction of the entire cast, even if the intrepid Feldshuh -- who looks nothing like the blonde and delicate Irena shown on Alex Koch's projections -- stresses the script's comic moments more than necessary. But ultimately, Irena's guts are the thing, and Feldshuh has that part of this heroine's personality down pat. "
Read the whole review HERE.
VARIETY:
"The conviction of Tovah Feldshuh's transformative performance drives "Irena's Vow," but it's the compelling true story of courage and heroism that makes Dan Gordon's by-the-numbers script so moving."
Read the whole review HERE.
BACKSTAGE:
"While the production's star may not have the recognition factor among the general public of a Jane Fonda or a Susan Sarandon, you need to catch Tovah Feldshuh. This multiple Tony nominee and Drama Desk winner gives a tour de force performance and may spark enough excitement to make Irena's Vow the sleeper hit of a crowded season."
Read the whole review HERE.
