Overview

Synopsis

Based on a series of conversations and a lifetime of memories, playwright Dan Gordon’s play Irena’s Vow tells the little-known story of Irena Gut Opdyke. Irena was a young Polish-Catholic forced to serve as a housekeeper for Major Rugemer, a German military officer stationed in occupied Poland. After witnessing the brutal killing of a Jewish baby by an SS Officer, Irena vows to save the Jewish workers stationed in the Major’s house. Against all odds--and surviving several close calls--she manages to conceal all of them in the Major’s cellar until the end of the German occupation. Blackmail, raucous Nazi parties, and even the birth of a child can’t stand in her way. Irena’s true story is a shining example of how the human spirit can overcome the greatest of tragedies.

Show Information

Book
Dan Gordon
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2008
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
Poland, 1939-1944
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
Playscripts, inc
Ideal For
community theatre, religious organization, professional theatre, university theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Irena Gut Opdyke

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Fanka Silberman

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Major Rugemer

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Lazar Hallar

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Sturmbannfuhrer Rokita

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Ida Hallar

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Helen

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Rokita's Secretary

Featured

Female

Silent

Schultz

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Roman

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Mayor of Jerusalem

Featured

Male

Non-singer

SS Officer

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Flashback

    A dramatic device that transports the narrative to an earlier time to provide background or context.

    Holocaust

    The genocide of Jews and others by Nazi Germany, portrayed in theatre to memorialize victims and examine human cruelty.

    SS (the “Schutzstaffel”)

    A paramilitary Nazi organization portrayed in historical theatre to expose fascist violence and complicity.

    World War Two

    A global conflict often explored in theatre through themes of resistance, loss, trauma, and moral complexity.

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher