Benko Stars in April 8 Evening Performance of Irena's Vow

By Adam Hetrick
08 Apr 2009

Tina Benko
Tina Benko

Actress Tina Benko steps into the role of Irena Gut Opdyke for the April 8 evening performance of Dan Gordon's Irena's Vow at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

In observance of Passover, four-time Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh will not perform the central role of the WWII heroine for the evening performance. Feldshuh, however, will go on for the 2 PM matinee April 8.

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, assumes the role in Feldshuh's absence.

Michael Parva directs the production, which began previews on Broadway March 10 and officially opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on March 29.

The Irena's Vow cast also 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).

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. She originated the role of Irena Gut Opdyke in the Off-Broadway premiere of Irena's Vow.

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.