Refuge
86

Refuge NYC Reviews and Tickets

86%
(19 Ratings)
Positive
95%
Mixed
5%
Negative
0%
Members say
Absorbing, Great acting, Relevant, Must see, Thought-provoking

About the Show

Blessed Unrest teams up with Teatri Oda from Kosovo for this world-premiere play based on real events in which thousands of Jewish WW II refugees were harbored by families in Albania, most of them practicing Muslims.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (19)

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536 Reviews | 279 Followers
100
Masterful, Intelligent, Great staging, Ambitious, Absorbing

See it if you want to see a play with music that focuses on one of the darkest periods in history. Great ensemble work, creative direction.

Don't see it if stories about the Holocaust disturb you.

69 Reviews | 11 Followers
90
Relevant, Must see, Great acting, Exquisite, Entertaining

See it if you like shows that portray a beautiful and moving story in a unique way. Everything from the staging to the acting was impeccable!

Don't see it if you don't like stories about the Holocaust, or you don't like plays that contain foreign languages.

76 Reviews | 10 Followers
90
Thought-provoking, Relevant, Must see, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if You are a student of history or appreciate greater theater. Plase see below.

Don't see it if All.you like are big ticket musicals. Read more

683 Reviews | 161 Followers
86
Well played, Uneven, Musically accomplished, Humane, Touching

See it if you want to experience a deeply affecting tale of inexplicable generosity in the bleakest of times—& the music is pretty great too.

Don't see it if you are looking for light fare or traditional drama. Read more

281 Reviews | 27 Followers
79
Thought-provoking, Great story, Very good acting, Very good music

See it if Want to be surprised with the story you haven’t heard

Don't see it if Your a Holocaust denier

774 Reviews | 246 Followers
75
Good music, Fragmented, Inspiring, Touching, Relevant

See it if Inspiring to see how generous people can be. The audience was in tears when the families had to separate at the end of the war.

Don't see it if The jumps to the 1990's and the present had bland dialog and broke the emotional continuity. The dance scenes were hard to follow.

79 Reviews | 5 Followers
72
Dizzying, Great singing, Great acting, Entertaining, Ambitious

See it if you like small productions aout saving Jews from the Holocaust, talented actors who also sing Jewish melodies.

Don't see it if you don't like plays with a physical portrayal of events in a foreign language that doesn't clearly explain what is happening.

42 Reviews | 7 Followers
90
Emotional, Powerful, Beautiful, Resonant, Absorbing

See it if you enjoy history, stories of strength & hope. Drama w some interpretive dance & some music. A deeply moving story in several languages.

Don't see it if you would prefer to see a musical or want to see something light and fun.

Critic Reviews (2)

Theatre is Easy
May 6th, 2019

"Albanians have an untranslatable word, 'besa,' which encompasses faith, hospitality, family, pledging responsibility...'Refuge' plumbs the many nuances of the ancient custom of 'besa'...Jessica Burr and Florent Mehmeti help show how desperation and sadness can quickly change to relief. The Kosovar ensemble members Eshref Durmishi, Ilire Vinca, and Daniela Markaj bring a huge amount of energy to the production, and offer a rare opportunity to experience traditional Albanian songs and dances."
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R
May 3rd, 2019

“A powerful and moving tale of survival during the Holocaust...While ‘Refuge’ contains some pretty heavy subject matter, the play manages to inject some light-heartedness. The scenes where language is a barrier are some of the most delightful...These cross-cultural scenes are not just funny, they illuminate how so much of communication is nonverbal...’Refuge' serves to shine a spotlight on the plight of refugees everywhere...The story...is beautifully told.”
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