Irena's Vow
Encyclopedia
Irena's Vow is a Broadway
play recounting the story of Irena Gut, a Polish nurse who, at the risk of her life, saved twelve Jews during World War II
in German
-occupied Poland.
at 219 West 48th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue) on 29 March 2009, after having premiered off-Broadway at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in September 2008. The ninety-minute play opened at the Kerr Theatre with the same cast from off-Broadway.
The play was written by Dan Gordon
, based on conversations that he had held with Irene Gut-Opdyke (née Irena Gut). Gordon "captures... peculiarly Polish elements: the heroine's irony and sense of humor in the face of catastrophe." He deftly draws the historic backdrop to Irena's story and creates a suspenseful narrative and "enthralling dialog."
Dan Gordon was greatly criticized for historical revisionism by inaccurately portraying the birth of a baby as taking place in the German Major's villa, when in fact the baby was born in the outskirts of a nearby forest, calling into question the entire veracity of the play. During the course of the play, this significant story element played into the hands of antiabortionists who used this fictional accounting of the story to promote their political agenda.
The title role is played by Tovah Feldshuh
. Appearing in other roles are Sandi Carroll, Tracee Chimo
, Steven Hauck, Scott Klaven, Peter Reznikoff, Thomas Ryan, Gene Silvers, John Stanisci and Maja Wampuszyc (a Polish actress who plays a Jewess).
Irena's Vow is directed by Michael Parva. Scenic design is by Kevin Judge; lighting design, David Castaneda; costume design, Astrid Brucker; sound design and music composition, Quentin Chiappetta; and projection design, Alex Koch.
On June 16, 2009 it was announced that Irena's Vow will close on June 28. At the time of its closure, it will have played 21 previews and 105 regular performances.
was invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union
in September 1939, Irena Gut, a Polish Catholic
nurse twenty-one years old at the outbreak of World War II
, was captured by the Soviet Army. After escaping, she was caught in a German roundup to be used as a slave laborer.
Eventually she became the housekeeper to a German army major. After she witnessed the gruesome fate of Jews in German-occupied Poland, Gut resolved at the risk of her life to conceal a dozen Jews threatened by the German Holocaust extermination program. The penalty that the Germans imposed on any Pole found to be harboring or otherwise aiding Jews was death.
One day Gut's employer discovered that she was concealing Jews in his house. Gut begged him to spare them; he agreed to, and never betrayed them or her. Gut became the German officer's mistress. Before the Red Army
arrived, she fled with the people that she was protecting into the forest. After the war, suspected falsely by some of having collaborated with the Germans, she emigrated to the United States.
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
play recounting the story of Irena Gut, a Polish nurse who, at the risk of her life, saved twelve Jews during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
-occupied Poland.
Production history
The play opened at Broadway's Walter Kerr TheatreWalter Kerr Theatre
The Walter Kerr Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre. Located at 219 West 48th Street, it is owned and operated by Jujamcyn Theaters. One of the smaller auditoriums in the theatre district, it seats 975....
at 219 West 48th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue) on 29 March 2009, after having premiered off-Broadway at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in September 2008. The ninety-minute play opened at the Kerr Theatre with the same cast from off-Broadway.
The play was written by Dan Gordon
Dan Gordon (screenwriter)
-Career:Dan Gordon graduated from UCLA as a film and television major, and went on to write screenplays including Passenger 57 , Wyatt Earp , Murder in the First , The Assignment and The Hurricane , as well as several novels.His play, Irena's Vow, premiered at the Baruch Performing Arts Center,...
, based on conversations that he had held with Irene Gut-Opdyke (née Irena Gut). Gordon "captures... peculiarly Polish elements: the heroine's irony and sense of humor in the face of catastrophe." He deftly draws the historic backdrop to Irena's story and creates a suspenseful narrative and "enthralling dialog."
Dan Gordon was greatly criticized for historical revisionism by inaccurately portraying the birth of a baby as taking place in the German Major's villa, when in fact the baby was born in the outskirts of a nearby forest, calling into question the entire veracity of the play. During the course of the play, this significant story element played into the hands of antiabortionists who used this fictional accounting of the story to promote their political agenda.
The title role is played by Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
. Appearing in other roles are Sandi Carroll, Tracee Chimo
Tracee Chimo
Tracee Chimo is an American stage and film actress, best known for portraying Regan in Leslye Headland’s Bachelorette, originating the role of Fanka Silberman in Irena's Vow as well as originating the role of Lauren in Annie Baker’s “Circle Mirror Transformation,” a hit that closed in January, 2010...
, Steven Hauck, Scott Klaven, Peter Reznikoff, Thomas Ryan, Gene Silvers, John Stanisci and Maja Wampuszyc (a Polish actress who plays a Jewess).
Irena's Vow is directed by Michael Parva. Scenic design is by Kevin Judge; lighting design, David Castaneda; costume design, Astrid Brucker; sound design and music composition, Quentin Chiappetta; and projection design, Alex Koch.
On June 16, 2009 it was announced that Irena's Vow will close on June 28. At the time of its closure, it will have played 21 previews and 105 regular performances.
Story
After PolandPoland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
was invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union
Soviet invasion of Poland
Soviet invasion of Poland can refer to:* the second phase of the Polish-Soviet War of 1920 when Soviet armies marched on Warsaw, Poland* Soviet invasion of Poland of 1939 when Soviet Union allied with Nazi Germany attacked Second Polish Republic...
in September 1939, Irena Gut, a Polish Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
nurse twenty-one years old at the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, was captured by the Soviet Army. After escaping, she was caught in a German roundup to be used as a slave laborer.
Eventually she became the housekeeper to a German army major. After she witnessed the gruesome fate of Jews in German-occupied Poland, Gut resolved at the risk of her life to conceal a dozen Jews threatened by the German Holocaust extermination program. The penalty that the Germans imposed on any Pole found to be harboring or otherwise aiding Jews was death.
One day Gut's employer discovered that she was concealing Jews in his house. Gut begged him to spare them; he agreed to, and never betrayed them or her. Gut became the German officer's mistress. Before the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
arrived, she fled with the people that she was protecting into the forest. After the war, suspected falsely by some of having collaborated with the Germans, she emigrated to the United States.
See also
- Irena Gut
- List of individuals and groups assisting Jews during the Holocaust
- Rescue of Jews by Poles during the HolocaustRescue of Jews by Poles during the HolocaustPolish Jews were the primary victims of the German Nazi-organized Holocaust. Throughout the German occupation of Poland, many Polish Gentiles risked their own lives—and the lives of their families—to rescue Jews from the Nazis. Grouped by nationality, Poles represent the biggest number of people...
- 2009 in theatre
External links
- Irena's Vow on Broadway
- Internet Broadway Database listing
- Andrew Gans, "Feldshuh to Return to Broadway in March in Irena's Vow", playbill.com, 22 December 2008.
- Willborn Hampton, "Hiding Innocents and Keeping Evil at Bay", New York Times, 26 September 2008.