Four-time Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh, who originated the role of Irena in the 2008 Off-Broadway debut of the play and currently reprises her performance on Broadway, will not perform that night in observance of Passover.
In Feldshuh's absence, understudy Benko, who has been the standby for such actresses as Kate Burton (Hedda Gabler), Martha Plimpton (Top Girls) and Victoria Hamilton (Joe Egg) on Broadway, will perform the 8 PM performance. Feldshuh will perform the title role for the 2 PM matinee on April 8.
Michael Parva directs the production that began previews on Broadway March 10 and officially opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on March 29.
Tovah Feldshuh received Tony Award nominations for her work in Golda's Balcony, Yentl, Sarava and Lend Me a Tenor. Her theatre roles have also garnered the actress four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, an Obie and a Theatre World Award.
The complete cast of Irena's Vow includes Sandi Carroll, Tracee Chimo, Steven Hauck, Scott Klavan, Peter Reznikoff, Thomas Ryan, Gene Silvers, John Stanisci and Maja Wampuszyc. Irena's Vow, according to the producers, "is the uplifting true story about one of the most courageous and unsung heroines of World War II. During the German occupation of Poland, Irena Gut Opdyke (Feldshuh), a Polish Catholic, was forced to work as head housekeeper for a very prominent Nazi major. Over a two year period of service, Irena would risk her own life in order to save the lives of twelve Jewish refugees whom she secretly took under her care. Irena's Vow is the extraordinary story of one woman's choice and the twelve lives that would ultimately be saved — or lost — by her decision."
The design team comprises Kevin Judge (scenic design), David Castaneda (lighting design), Astrid Brucker (costume design), Quentin Chiappetta (sound design/composer) and Alex Koch (projection design).
Irena's Vow is produced on Broadway by Stan Raiff, Daryl Roth, Debra Black, James L. Nederlander, Terry Allan Kramer and Peter Fine.
Tickets, priced $41-$98, are available by visiting Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. The Walter Kerr Theatre is located in Manhattan at 219 West 48th Street.
For more information visit IrenasVow.
