Add me to the chorus of raves for Irena's Vow (spoiler free)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 10:59pm

What an incredible, emotional, yet uplifting play this is. I don't have a lot to say, because most of it has already been said by other posters much more eloquently than I, but it was a brilliant 90 minutes today.

Angela Lansbury better hope she gets petitioned as a featured actress if she wants to win one last Tony, because Tovah can just clear a space on her mantle for her first Tony right now. Her performance was brilliant, not just as Irena, but as the various other characters she performs. She commanded the stage and was able to go from humor to heartbreak effortlessly. Her final speech that she delivers (in 1988 ) was absolutely terrific.

The play itself is a 90 minute rush from beginning to end. I never once fidgeted or became the least bit distracted. I was riveted to the action onstage the whole time. It was thrilling. I paid for my entire seat, but I only used the edge of it. There was a great line near the end of the play that resonated so well. During the aforementioned final speech Tovah gives, she has a line about how we are the last generation that will hear about the Holocaust from actual survivors. I had never thought about that before, but it's true. For that reason, and many others, this is an important work, a play that needs to be seen.

Speaking of Tonys, I found this to be a far stronger play than Dividing the Estate, which seems to be the current favorite for Best Play at the moment.

Afterwards, we had the brief Q&A with Irena's daughter, which was even more interesting because.....



(SLIGHT SPOILER)



someone asked her what ever became of the Major. She thanked the person for asking such a great question and said she was glad she got to tell this story. When the Major returned to Germany, he was shunned by his town for one of two reasons. Either because they knew of his "affair" with his housekeeper, or they believed him to a "Jew lover." So, as an old, frail man, since he couldn't go back to his house, he was actually living on the streets. Then, Lazer, one of the Jews hidden in the basement, heard he was on the street, and his family took him in and he lived the rest of his life with them. The Jewish family's son called him Grandpa. I thought that was a very interesting little sidebar to a fascinating story.
Updated On: 3/14/09 at 10:59 PM

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 11:16pm

Were you at the matinee or the evening performance? I was at the matinee and the question about the Major was asked.

I completely agree with your assessment of the play and Tovah's performance. It was a truly amazing experience.

As for Lansbury, I think she belongs in the featured category. Jayne Atkinson would be a worthy nominee for lead from Blithe Spirit, but the Tony belongs to Feldshuh this year.

For those who lament about Esparza FINALLY winning a Tony, which is a funny statement, and those who even make a similar statement about Stephanie Block, which is outright hysterical, I recommend that they take a look at Feldshuh's resume. This will be her fifth Tony nom over a career that exceeds thirty years. If ever anyone FINALLY deserves a Tony, it's her.

Updated On: 3/14/09 at 11:16 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 11:22pm

I was at the matinee today.

The only distraction today was the bad audience. I forgot to mention the man who came in late and as he was making his way across the row to his seat, looked up to the stage and said, "Could you just wait a minute?" Tovah, bless her, just GLARED at him until he sat down. I thought for a minute she was going to "pull a Patti." Then we had a man in front of me crinkling a bag until about 5 of us, myself included, told him to stop. The man to the left of my friend took a cell phone call (it didn't ring but it lit up on his lap) but then hung up when my friend said "Hang that up or I'm getting an usher." For the record, every single one of the "offenders" today was a senior citizen, not a kid.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 11:29pm

I was in the front row, directly in front of Feldshuh during her compelling final monologue. I also got in a question during the Q&A, asking how Irena's story made its way to the stage.

I wish I had spoken to someone in the theater about latecomers. There is absolutely no way that they should seat latecomers in the orchestra for this production. It's just impossible to do it without a significant disruption. If folks come late, they should stand or go up to the balcony.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 11:36pm

Glad you two loved Tovah so much!! Everyone seems to be in agreement over her winning the Tony. It's wonderful to hear all this love for a wonderful show.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 11:41pm

adamgreer, thank you so much for this rave review. I'm glad this is getting universal praise on this board. The show is spectacular and Tovah's performance is not-to-be-missed. IRENA'S VOW is perfection on stage.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 11:42pm

I know that the economy sucks right now, and theater attendance is down, but I really hope this show finds the audience it deserves. I can't imagine that the reviews will be anything short of glowing, and that should help. I just hope the subject matter doesn't turn people off. Folks may hear 'Holocaust' and thinks it's a sad show, but just the opposite - it's very uplifting.

By the way, I brought my thirteen year-old daughter to the show, and though she was reluctant, she has been talking about the show non-stop. It's highly recommended for teens.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 12:50am

Such a fantastic show with a brilliant lead performance. Glad you loved it too!

And that story about the Major is extremely interesting. Wow.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 1:40am

I saw it tonight and was blown away. The question about the Major wasn't asked, but Tovah asked her to tell it to us because it was so beautiful. We did have a Holocaust survivor stand up and thank them for this, for keeping the stories being told.

Sadly, the front row was nearly empty. I assume it was mostly no shows as I was sold A109. I didn't really look around a lot to see, but the orchestra seemed pretty full.

[pattilupuppy]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 1:49am

WOW WOW WOW WOW

It was a good sign to me when i was seeing UNANIMOUS great reviews of this show from everyone on this board... because this very very very rarely happens.

So tonight I got offered free tickets to Irena's Vow. I had planned on seeing it soon but I was encouraged to go tonight by the free tickets.

So, let it be known that I am a very well read theatre professional, i stay on top of current plays and read a lot of new works. That is my precursor for saying that this play is BRILLIANT!

There are perfomances that are good, there are performances that are great, and then there are performances that are BRILLIANT! Tovah is that! There are very few performers that totally and honestly embody the character they have been employed to present, and she does that without flaw. The combination of the direction and the performance from its lead, left me in awe.

It made it even worse knowing that I interviewed for a position on this show back in September before the Off Broadway run... sad day for me. Nevertheless I am so happy for everyone involved with this production.

I get annoyed when people on here state that THIS PERSON WILL win the Tony, but Tovah should. :)

WithoutATrace I couldnt agree with you more about everything you have said. You were so right. This play is fantastic!

Its remarkable to me that we have gone from December when broadway was dying to now and I have seen 2 of the strongest new plays I have seen in a Long time (33 Variations, Irena's Vow)

If you have not seen this... GO!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 1:52am

I think the line that hit me the hardest was the one about "you are the last generation who will hear directly from a Holocaust survivor" (probably not a direct quote). That was just...WOW.

This is a story that NEEDS to be told and NEEDS to be seen by all.

[pattilupuppy]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 1:54am

I agree... that line is part of what makes this play so remarkable and moving... that last monologue gives this play's reason for existence... how many plays do that? How many plays tell you why this play needs to be and needs to be seen? Not many, but it sure is a powerful thought.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 1:59am

Definitely. I was already in tears at that point and that just kept them flowing even stronger. I know I'll be going back...I'm just not sure how soon because of the emotional impact it's had on me ~ in the best possible way.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 1:59am

Reading the rave reviews for this show makes me smile. I am so thrilled that everyone is agreeing on IRENA'S VOW. When has BroadwayWorld ever united and all agreed on a show? Possibly never. This could be a first.

And yes, pattilupuppy, Tovah should and will win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play on June 7th. "Brilliant" isn't a strong enough word to describe the performance she is giving out on that stage.

[pattilupuppy]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 2:01am

there isnt an adjective that adequately harasses the essence of the performance she gives... but i went with BRILLIANT because AMAZING is so over-used i makes me sick haha!
Updated On: 3/15/09 at 02:01 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 2:02am

Everyone needs to see this show!!!!!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 2:06am

I think the line that hit me the hardest was the one about "you are the last generation who will hear directly from a Holocaust survivor" (probably not a direct quote). That was just...WOW.

This is a story that NEEDS to be told and NEEDS to be seen by all.

I agree completely, as I mentioned above in my original post. That's a great line with such emotional punch!

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 9:01am

Perhaps the best indicator of how strongly I feel about this play is that I'm spending more time on the Broadway board than the off-topic board.

[liotte]

Posted: 3/18/09 at 10:59pm

Fabulous show, definitely recommended!

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 9:20am

Saw it last night via student rush. I never cry at plays but was sobbing by the end. I hope everyone sees it.
Updated On: 3/22/09 at 09:20 AM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 10:45am

Ok, this show had totally slipped under my radar until now, but reading this thread makes me really want to go see it. I just may do it now. Plus, I am always fascinated by Holocaust stories. Thanks for the reviews and putting it on my radar!

Do they have a student rush?

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 10:48am

2 per id, $25, front row

[esparza 333]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 10:54am

wow I need to see this. Tovah's performance seems to be a treasure. How would it be for a 10 year old. My sister absolutely loves any kind of theatre I just want to know it is appropriate for her.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 11:52am

Hmm, it depends on her maturity level.

I think it should be okay though. Like I've said before, this is an important story for kids and adults to see.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 11:57am

I just wish the design were better, but alas, it was still a great show.