CANCELED: I Kiss Your Hands – The Story of Irena Sendler

Overview

This show has been canceled.

The Jolanta Project presents “I Kiss Your Hands: A Story of Hope, Rescue, and Deliverance,” a world-premiere historical fiction by Timothy Caso that introduces audiences to WWII heroine Irena Sendler. Sendler was a Polish-Catholic social worker who saved over 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto. Under Nazi occupation, Irena and her friends had to get creative, adopting the children into Catholic families for their own protection.

This world-premiere Philadelphia Fringe production opens at Chandler Hall in Newtown, PA at 7:30 p.m. on September 8th, 9th, 10th, and 23rd, at 2:00 p.m. on September 23rd and 24th, and at 7:00 p.m. Industry Night on September 13th. Tickets are $20, with discounts for seniors, students, and military members, and they can be purchased online at www.phillyfringe.org or at the door.

The production is directed by Bryan Hagelin, with technical direction and lighting/projection/scenic design by Claire Caverly, costume/prop design by Jaclyn Baird, sound design by Jim Hakowski, and dramaturgy by Heather Helinsky. The cast of 12 is led by Caity Brown as Irena, with Hannah Anderson and Lauren Ralston co-starring as Irena’s closest friends and conspirators.

“We tell Irena’s story to honor the sacrifices that she and her collaborators made to protect the innocent in the face of unimaginable suffering,” said Hagelin. “The legacy of these unsung heroines includes not only the 2500 children they rescued but also the children of the generations that follow. Our play is about friendship, sacrifice, and faith in an ordinary woman’s ability to do the impossible.”

For more information and press inquiries, contact Jessica Beaver at beaverjessica@gmail.org or (215)-356-2375, or visit https://phillyfringe.org/events/i-kiss-your-hands-the-story-of-irena-sendler for updates, showtimes, and additional details about I Kiss Your H

About the Artist

I'm Tim, the writer / producer of the play: I Kiss Your Hands. I knew little about writing and even less about producing but the subject of my play, Irena Sendler, inspired me to bring her story to you. It is one of unyielding strength and incredible kindness, and she has often been called "The Female Dr. Schindler."
Our project, named The Jolanta Project after Ms. Sendler's code name, has been blessed with a wonderfully talented design team. Our Director, Bryan Hagelin, brings a multitude of directing experience with many renown groups including the Natl Women's Theater and the Players Club of Swarthmore! Our Stage Manager, Jessica Beaver, has guided very successful shows at both the high school and collegiate levels! Claire Caverly is our Technical Director whose artistry has graced many theaters and are a sight to behold! Our Costume / Props designer, Jaclyn Baird's creative work on projects such as Rigor and the Chronicles of Nora have solidified her as a leader in her field. Elisabeth Hostetter is our Dialect Coach and a full-time professor at Rowan Univ. Her vast experience is a huge asset to our project! Heather Helinsky is our Dramaturg whose expertise has brought even more outstanding depth to our multi-talented Team! Andy Meschke is our ASM and is a very enthusiastic, important part of our Team! Our fight Choreographer, Randy Moyer, helps us bring incredible realism to difficult scenes. My son, Rob Caso, did the graphic design work and was with me from the start of this project four years ago. His “sanity checks” were a huge help! Cathy Springer is the very talented artist and was an art teacher for over 25 years.

Credits