Brookfield Actress Plays Lead in Acacia Theatre's

Mary Atwood, of Brookfield, plays Irena Gut Opdyke in “Irena’s Vow,” a play about a brave Polish Catholic housekeeper secretly protecting Jewish refugees while she was working for a German major. Her courageous story comes to life in “Irena’s Vow,” playwright Dan Gordon’s retelling of the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke.

Atwood explains that her reaction to the play changed as she learned about Irena’s life. She says, “When I was asked if I were auditioning for ‘Irena's Vow,’ I originally said no because I had had enough of plays about the Nazi Holocaust, having played Corrie Ten Boom in Acacia's ‘The Hiding Place.’ But after checking out the story and particularly Irena Gut Opdyke herself, I fell in love with this character, this real person. Irena can be heard on YouTube, and I found her passion and her great love for people to be truly compelling.”

“Irena made a vow to choose life and a path of morality over complicity and death. I am honored to bring her to life in this production,” says Atwood.

All performances will be given in Concordia University Wisconsin’s Todd Wehr Auditorium, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive in Mequon, Wis

“Irena’s Vow” is the inspiring, life-affirming story of one of the most courageous and unsung heroines of World War II, Irena Gut Opdyke. 19-year-old Irena, a Polish Catholic, was forced to work as head housekeeper for a prominent German major. Over a two year period of service, Irena used her wit, humor, and courage to protect the lives of the Jewish refugees she cared for secretly. A celebration of triumph in a time of suffering, this is an extraordinary true story of one woman’s character.

Performances will be given on Friday, November 9, 2012 at 8pm; Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 8pm; Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 3pm; Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 8pm; Friday, November 16, 2012 at 8pm; Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 4pm and 8pm; Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 3pm.

Season Subscription and Single Ticket Information
Season subscriptions cost $38, or $30 for senior citizens, full-time students and full-time clergy. Single tickets will cost $16, or $13 for senior citizens, full-time students and full-time clergy. More information is available by calling (414) 744-5995 or visiting www.acaciatheatre.com.