Dan Gordon's play, Irena's Vow, about a Polish Catholic woman who hid and saved twelve Jews during World War II, starring one of Broadway's greatest actresses, Tovah Feldshuh, in a wonderful, heartbreaking, thrilling performance, is a great history lesson, and, in part, a tough show for an old Jew to watch. It's a ripper. But ultimately it's totally uplifting, and Feldshuh, with great craft, and even humor, hits her lines and moments with great craft, skill and heart. The entire cast is excellent, and Thomas Ryan as the German major is so good that every word, every look is totally believable. I see nominations for him and for Feldshuh for best actress and best supporting actor.
Played on an imaginative set by Kevin Judge with projections by Alex Koch, perfectly lighted by David Castaneda, with just right costumes by Astrid Brucker, under the clear direction of Michael Parva, Irena's Vow is a great, warm, moving drama with superb performances.
