IRENA'S VOW Reviews — Page 4

There's widespread belief that merely tackling the holocaust in any way should earn respect of critics and audiences. But we've seen an avalanche of mediocre literature on the subject, and it's increasingly too easily exploited to wring tears, often playing by the melodramatic rules that would not be tolerated in service of another historical context. And creating a play based on a real person is likewise no reason to expect fawning appreciation. All dramas must be judged on their own merits, not the heroism or humanity of its subject matter. This play must be evaluated as a play, nothing more or less, and so Isherwood has every right to tackle its strengths and weaknesses independent of any reverence for its noble biographical intentions.

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If nothing else, Whizzer, I think this play will have good word-of-mouth. The question is, will that be enough?

A more interesting question, I think, would even universal raves have been enough to make this show a financial success?

Off topic, but then again, so is much of this thread.......

But why are you guys handing out Tony Awards before you've seen and evaluated every single show? I'm specifically thinking of MARY STUART, which does not even have it's first preview until tonight. I hear that Janet McTeer is pretty amazing.

I liked IRENA'S VOW much more than GOD OF CARNAGE. Well...maybe not MUCH more, but I definitely liked it more. But at this point, I think CARNAGE will win Best Play as well. And, like I said when the reviews came out, it should become an open-ended run. I could think of a plethora of actors (both famous and Broadway vets) who I'd love to see in those four roles.

And I was referring to kingkong, not you MiracleElixir.

Updated On: 3/30/09 at 10:11 AM

As much as I love IRENA'S VOW, it needed universal rave reviews to keep it afloat, and now that it hasn't gotten those, I do think it will flop.

Do I think that universal rave reviews would have been enough to drum up a lot of business for this show? It definitely would have helped, but now I fear it may close before the Tony Awards...which would be horrible news.

The marketing people haven't even done any advertising for this show...no one even knows it's playing on Broadway right now! and that is a big problem

Hopefully word of mouth will help it. I can't see the running costs being all that much, comparatively.

Do you remember the very next line in that monologue, james2, where critics' value in the world of art is praised, for the rare occurrence they can be a lone voice or champion / denigrate a deserving work?

Just wanted to let you know that you shouldn't blame Dan Gordon for that ending line. He took it straight from my mother who felt that she had earned the right to ask people to make a moral choice to care about humanity and make a difference in the world. Sorry it bothered you so much.
Irena's daughter,
Janina Opdyke Smith

I was just wondering which part of the NY Times review you thought was right on? The "theatrical Hokum" he referred to was not only uninformed but poor reporting since he just assumed that the story plots, the humor and the lines in the play were... What did he call it? "strange paradoxical twists that almost beggar belief" or maybe it was the "banal, ham-fisted & bad fiction" you're agreeing with?
Sometimes life is stranger than fiction and the case of Irena's Vow the material, the story plot and the scenes are truth... not fiction. Anyone who would care to learn more should get my mom's book "In My Hands" and read her complete memories. Maybe we are all so hardened by the typical entertainment and fluff that is out there that we fail to see the beauty of human decency and the power of love.
My Mother, the real Irena would be broken hearted by the cruel judgements and harsh quick denial of her life... she was right, History does repeat itself.

Really, though, the weaknesses people found were with the script, not the source material.

Seriously, let's not start accusing criticism of the play to be criticism of the event/woman/subject/source material.

I agree with April Saul. Jeannie, I am planning to see the show and feel that your mom's message is still an important and valuable one to spread by any means, including theater. To me, it seemed like Isherwood had some ax to grind. His tone was particularly harsh. Thank you for coming on the board to clarify. It's clear that people's hearts and souls are what brought this show to fruition. I wish you and the entire production much success.

Perhaps this is another example of needing to let a piece challenge your way of thinking instead of wanting it to affirm your way of thinking. I think that line is haunting and succinct in explaining such a delicate matter in a simple way.

In general, I think it wouldn't be frowned upon for me to pass on the sentiment at the Walter Kerr Theatre--despite some negative reviews, this company believes in the piece. The producers stand firmly behind it. Audience responses have been tremendously positive--standing ovations every night as I understand it.

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