Mother Russia

Mother Russia

By Lauren Yee

Originally Produced at La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego, CA




Welcome to St. Petersburg in the 1990s – the Berlin Wall has fallen, the Soviet Union has dissolved and opportunity abounds. But barely-competent government surveillance workers Euvgeny and Dmitri find themselves lost in their strange new world of glasnost, perestroika and McDonald’s. When they’re assigned to track Katya, a fallen pop-star with international allure, a love triangle, mistaken identities and some really shoddy espionage tactics are set in motion. It’s possible they might just make it out of this mess and find happiness – if only they could make a decision. A world-premiere comedy about the curse of freedom and having to choose between the Filet-o-Fish and the Big Mac.

Artistic Statement: La Jolla Playhouse and the Edgerton Foundation share a deep commitment to the development of new work. We are truly grateful for their support that will provide crucial additional rehearsal time for two exhilarating new works: Lauren Yee’s Mother Russia – a comedy about dealing with newfound freedom in 1990s Russia – and Kimber Lee’s to the yellow house, a riveting piece about an artist on the cusp of finding his brilliance. - Christopher Ashley, the Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse

Grant Statement: The Edgerton Foundation has long supported new work at the Playhouse in extraordinary, tangible ways, giving playwrights and directors invaluable extra time to hone their pieces. We applaud their dedication to helping theatres around the country develop new plays and musicals for the American theatre canon. - Debby Buchholz, Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse

Director: Tyne Rafaeli