The Return of a Star

theatermania.com

        Ms. Feldshuh plays the role of Irena Gut Opdyke, a young Polish Catholic girl, who is cast with the tremendous responsibility of keeping twelve Jews hidden away from the Nazis during World War II. The deterioration of Ms. Feldshuh’s mighty presence during Irena’s emotional breakdowns, as she recounts her experiences during the war, is striking and powerful. It sends a clear message of the destruction caused by the war not only to physical property, but also to people’s spirits. Ms. Feldshuh’s masterful artistry is further exhibited during the small instants of dark humor that are interspersed throughout the show. In a play about a subject of this magnitude, humor is an unexpected surprise, but Ms. Feldshuh’s performance manages to be respectful, while accentuating the terrible circumstances under which this humor exists. Although, Ms. Feldshuh is clearly the star of the show, Thomas Ryan, Steven Hauck, Maja Wampuszyc, Gene Silvers, Tracee Chimo, and John Stanisci act as a great supporting cast for Ms. Feldshuh.

     The set of the play is yet another element that adds strength to Ms. Feldshuh’s performance. Projections of pictures from World War II help add the terrible power of reality to Ms. Feldshuh’s words. In addition, light is often utilized to emphasize her acting. White light is used to illuminate her when she is speaking, while a red light spills over the projection like blood, signifying the traumatic moment in which Irena makes her vow to never be a bystander when people are being murdered. Although music is not present in most of the play, the placement of small, dramatic musical segments add yet another element of emphasis to Ms. Feldshuh’s rendition of Irena’s experience.

     In her first return to the New York stage since her spectacular performance in Golda’s Balcony, Ms. Feldshuh shines as the leading lady of Irena’s Vow. Her amazing performance acts as a tribute to Irena Gut Opdyke, a woman whose amazing true story of courage and survival can only be described with one word – inspiring.