The Russian Lesson

Ben Rosenberg

The Russian Lesson, a play

Based on the real and imagined lives of Gigi’s ancestors, this play unfolds in scenes, historical film clips and monologues that move back and forth in time. This scene takes place moments before Sophie (the play’s main character) flees her privileged if cloistered life in 1910 Crasukis, Russia for the promise of safety and opportunity in America.

Listen to a staged reading of a scene from The Russian Lesson with Michael Rohd (Stepan), Carolyn DeLorenzo (Sophie), Ted Shultz (the father) and Nancy Wilson reading stage directions. The Creative Consultant for this reading was Lorraine Bahr. This staged reading was recorded in front of an audience at Performance Works Northwest, Portland, Oregon.