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The 's Vow : A Story About A Young Polish Woman Who Saved Twenty Jewish Refugees During World War

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Irena’s Vow is a story about a young Polish woman who saved thirteen Jewish refugees during World War II from the German Nazis who invaded Poland. As the audience walked into Wright Curtis Theatre at Kent State University on October 14, 2016 for opening night of Irena’s vow, they got to witness an unusual sight. There were two young gentlemen waiting upon the stage for the show to begin. As they leered over the incoming audience and the set design, people began to take their seats. The large worn wooden crates on the stage looked to be haphazardly placed, which created a surreal environment. As the play began, Jess Tanner, who played Irena Gut Opdyke, was incredibly captivating with her charm and wit. She told the audience that she was once their age, not an old lady like she was now. She was once a young 19-year old and she took into her protection twelve Jews, which turned to thirteen later in the play as they voted to take in Henry Weinbaum. Towards the tail end of the play Ida Hallar and Lazar Hallar, two of the Jews, had a baby boy. They named him Roman.
Using Wright-Curtis Theatre, which is a stage ‘in the round’, was an innovative decision. To place an incredibly emotional play in a small theatre where everyone can easily see others reactions, made it easy to gauge how others are responding to a scene. There were definitely disadvantages to having it in an arena style theater, there were many times where the actors would have to freeze on stage. The actors would have

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