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Irena's Vow Reviews
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Extraordinary Work, This Play Made a Tough New Yorker Cry Review by: NYKnows, Apr 8, 2009 |
| It is very rare for me to cry at the theater - a tough New Yorker, a 9/11 survivor, a witness to much sadness and loss. But before the end of this play, I had tears running down my face. It is an extraordinary story of survival against all odds, and the power of love against reckless hate. I saw it with a diverse crowd, and everyone was moved, crying, had tissues out, and was focused on learning how it ends! At the performance today, ... read more on the day of Passover and close to Easter, we had the honor of a Q&A at the end with the daughter of the real heroine, and learned more about her, her faith and her family. A Catholic lady, a survivor of rape by soldiers, she hid 12 Jews to try to save them, and then... they hid her as a Jew to save her. The lady's daugher shared with us the fate of the Nazi major who learned about the Jews hiding in the basement of his house - he was also saved from hate! Anything based in goodness is possible. Everything about this production works in its simplicity, because every word is written from truth and spoken from the heart. Well done, Tovah and company, extraordinary work! Whatever your background or beliefs, in God or not, in religion or not, in the inherent goodness of humanity or not, please see this play, it is a life-changing masterpiece. But bring lots of tissues! |
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must see!
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Vow to See This Review by: Yolanda, Apr 7, 2009 |
Let me begin with full disclosure; I love Tovah Feldshuh. I have loved her since my tortured junior high school days. I would love her in a box, I would love her in her socks. I just love her.
Saturday night I saw her in _Irena's Vow_ at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (of all places.) The play, written by Dan Gordon, is based upon the true story of a very righteous gentile. Irena, a Polish Catholic young woman, hid 13 jews during the ... read more Nazi invasion. Where she hid them and how is astounding. While the story is compelling, it is not easy to create powerful art with a Holocaust narrative. It sounds counter-intuitive, but I believe it's true. Our society is at an age of Holocaust fatigue. It is disturbing to consider this, but it is a reality. There are beautiful works of powerful drama that have been created in the past (The Puppetmaster of Lodz comes to mind) but not many modern playwrights venture into this narrative. Mr. Gordon has a lot of experience adapting films to the stage, and that skill set is apparent in _Irena's Vow_. With the exception of just two moments, the play works.
The performance opens with Irena (Tovah) talking to us (the audience) as "dear children." It is at that moment that we understand why on earth we are sitting in a college theatre! The play opens and closes with the premise of a high school assembly. The premise quickly fades into the play (as a telling of Irena's story.) This device differs dramatically from the recent production of Thurgood. That play was one continuous lecture. The vast majority of this play is a flashback, interspersed with Irena breaking the chronological wall to add commentary. The entire structure of the play is flawless. There are only two adjustments that should be made. One is during a sexual proposition. We are too engrossed in the drama to instantly recall that the character should be 20 not 50, and the partnering looks too natural, rather than how obscene it was in real life. This incongruency could be corrected with a line by Irena about her "first time," reminding us of her actual age at this juncture. The other adjustment I would make is during the climax of the play. It could have been handled less "Lifetime Movie" and more sophisticated drama. I won't spoil the Lindsay Wagner/Valerie Bertinelli moment for you by describing the easy fix of the scene.
The direction of this production (Michael Parva) is exactly on point. The staging and the performances are wonderfully balanced. The design (set, lighting, costume) are incredibly effective. And then there are the performances.
I don't know whether it is The Directors Company or Invictus Theater Company that created this ensemble. Whomever is responsible should be lauded. It would have been very easy to make this play into a star vehicle. Tovah has proved without a doubt that she can tear the house down with a one-woman show (_Golda's Balcony_.) The cast, none of whom I had heard of, is perfect.
_Irena's Vow_ is a compelling story that feels very very current. While I will not deem it as dramatically complete as _Golda's Balcony_ I will say that it was a satisfying theatrical experience. I don't believe it has the legs to move to Broadway. It is too specific, and just short of being intellectually challenging. But it is wonderful, Tovah is glorious, and it will make you consider (or reconsider) the nature of humans and particularly, of religion. |
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must see!
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Riveting Review by: BillyElliotFan, Apr 6, 2009 |
| I saw the show last Saturday evening, and was riveted for the entire 90 minutes. If anyone had made up this story, it would seem to be too unbelievable, but reality is definitely stranger than fiction. The acting was wonderful--especially Tovah Feldshuh who was phenomenal, and the actors playing the Jews in hiding--I felt as if I were watching the story unfold before my eyes. The critics were way off base--the story and performances ... read more sell themselves, and to pick on specific lines like they did is completely ridiculous. This play told the amazing story simply and straightforwardly--it does not need a lot of "bells and whistles". Our performance had Irena's daughter in the Q&A session as well, and as another reviewer below stated, some of the things she said that happened after the events portrayed in the play added to this already amazing story. This is great theatre, and Tovah Feldshuh's performance must be seen by all who love theatre. |
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Redemptive message - Highly Recommend Review by: Terry, Apr 5, 2009 |
| Highly recommended. Entertaining but also strong redemptive message about dedicating ones life to helping others and making the world better. Irena's real-daughter was there the night we attended and answered audience questions from the stage and added to the already amazing story. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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Touching Review by: mitchell93, Apr 4, 2009 |
| Well done. A must see. Tovah is amazing. I am still thinking about this show. |
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Great show and profoundly moving. Review by: Lee, Mar 26, 2009 |
| We thought Irenas Vow was a powerful and important Broadway show. Tovah Feldshur was outstanding and after 2 or 3 minutes we thought she really was Irena. We were at a preview and were able to ask Irenas daughter questions. A must see!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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A life fullfilling show! Review by: Diract66, Mar 23, 2009 |
| Saw this show March 18 matinee.This was an excellent show, ninety minutes long,with the minimum amount of scenery. It was a unit set used effectively by the actors and lighting to keep you in the mood of the play. The acting was exceptional, especially Tovah Feldshuh who makes you feel emotionally tied to her character. From the time she comes on stage and starts her first monologue you are brought into the play never to think of anything else ... read more but Irina's courage at such a young age in deadly times. After all, this is a tale of the Holocaust... without the violence on stage. You are left with the feeling of one life lived affecting just a few people can go on for generations if you make the difficult correct choices. Go see this play. Sit anywhere and you will be able to see. It is a play for everyone who believes in what is right in life. An hour and half you will remember. At my performance Irina's daughter showed up and we asked her questions at the curtain call. Magnificent and touching! |
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must see!
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Wonderful play for everyone to see! Review by: DeeDee, Mar 22, 2009 |
"Irena's Vow" was GREAT! Tova Feldshuh's performance would earn her a Tony. The story is so full of twists and turns, it would be hard to believe if it wasn't actually true!
Would like to see more diversity in the audience. This is a universal story of courage and heroism in the face of total evil. It only takes one person to make a difference. Everyone can learn from that!
(Spoiler alert) We were fortunate that after the performance, ... read more Irena's real life daughter came out and answered questions form the audience. |
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AMAZING THEATRE ON ALL LEVELS Review by: Stuie, Mar 14, 2009 |
| Saw the show the evening of March 12, was expecting something special, but was knocked out of my seat. This is what Broadway is and should be about. Quality writing, direction, casting and of course Tovah, what can I say, she is a star a shining star She will make you laugh cry but make you feel that life is so precious. This is a must see if you love theatre. RUN TO THE KERR THEATRE this is sensational and brilliant theatre |
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must see!
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Profile in Courage Review by: NedRacine, Jan 28, 2009 |
| We saw this play off broadway. It reminds us there are people who do extraordinary moral acts. Very convincing performance by Tovah as Irena. I was amazed at her excellent Polish accent. But really what hits home is what Irena risked, what she did, and who she saved. I have spent a lot of time since seeing this play thinking of what a heroine Irena was. And how brave she was. This play really shakes you up. Don't miss it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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One of the best shows that I have ever seen Review by: , Sep 21, 2008 |
| The acting was superb. The audience was able to ask questions after the show. This show should be seen by everyone who may doubt that there was a Holocaust |
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must see!
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A Must See!! Review by: movielover, Sep 20, 2008 |
| Everyone Must See! This play captures your attention from the very beginning and never lets you go. A amazing true story about a young girl who does the impossible. You forget that you're at a play as your drawn into the story. The cast is excellent and Tovah Feldshuh commands the stage. This play could change the way you look at the world! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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A wonderful show Review by: , Sep 13, 2008 |
What a wonderful performance Tovah gives,as always she is quite the star.The story was very moving and told of history that no one should miss.If it was on broadway,it could not have been any better!
This critic is usually right. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Large Group
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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