2nd place. A statue of Stalin reading Pushkin's book.

And the winner:

A statue of Stalin reading Stalin's book.

2/2

Some turns in the play seem to be outlandish, but a quick check shows they are historically correct. This reminds of "The Death of Stalin" by Ianucci, where the most absurd details are the most accurate.

A great play for our times

4/4

Rajiv Joseph understood that the language of absurdist theater was the perfect one to explore this absurdity. His "Archduke" looks into the story of Gavrilo Princip. Brilliantly performed by @roundaboutnyc under Darko Tresnjak's direction, the play is very topical.

3/4

Well, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecc 1:9). More than a hundred years ago a similar situation upended the most prosperous world so far leading to millions senseless deaths and a complete change of the world, mostly to the worse.

2/4

The Tsar liked them and ordered to put the letterforms in his Treasury. Thus, nobody could use them or even see them for the next 100+ years.

"A typical Russian story," noted Ruderman sadly.

He lives now in Riga, and his company is registered in Armenia & Georgia.

2/2

Speaking of which, this play could be saved if the jokes were funny. I have heard this was the situation with the sitcom. Unfortunately, those in the play were rather saccharine and predictable.

Mercifully, the play was very short.

5/5

Even the bespectacled face of Kim was an exact copy of hundreds of bespectacled old workers in Soviet plays — of course, this character belonged to a petite bourgeoisie, which makes the situation funnier.

4/5

Likable but backward older people? Check. A new generation showing them the right way (in this case about interracial dating and marriage)? Check. A reformed criminal who found goodness in his soul? Check.

3/5

I did not watch the Netflix sitcom, but I liked Soulpepper, so when it brought the play to SF, I came to the show.

The play was written in the tradition of Socialist Realism and reminded me of a typical Soviet play or a movie.

2/5

Bill English, the artistic leader of SF Playhouse, chose to direct this play himself. I think I know why.

4/4

They courageously continue despite their world collapsing. The thought that whatever happens we have the job to do, the proverbial show that must go on, the message we are given to convey — even the silly message about the importance of old-fashioned sardines — is timely

3/4

First, life has not been kind for us all recently. A good farce is a great way to get the badly needed dose of laughter.

However, there is a second layer. The characters stage a play while their own lives are being upended.

2/4