Lenin's Embalmers
by Vern Thiessen
When Boris Zbarsky and Vladimir Vorobiev, two Jewish biochemists, are recruited by Josef Stalin to embalm Lenin after his death, both men are pushed to their limits in preserving the former Soviet leader so that he may physically live forever. Driven by fear and fame, both men attempt to achieve the impossible, but discover a dark secret. If they should succeed the rewards will be boundless, but failure can bring only one outcome. Based on a true story, Governor Generalâ??s Literary Award winning playwright Vern Thiessen brings us a dark comedy that brings to light the resilience of the human spirit, ever-changing war games, and the importance of always having vodka on hand.
close this panelVern Thiessen is one of Canadaâ??s most produced playwrights. His work has been seen across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Vern is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play, the City of Edmonton Arts Achievement Award, and the Governor Generalâ??s Literary Award. Vern received his BA from the University of Winnipeg and an MFA from the University of Alberta.
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â??A spunky dark comedy served up with wit and verve.??
â??The New York Times
