Medicine Show Theatre Announces Speakers' Series to Accompany U.S. Premiere of 14 LITTLE RED HUTS

The Medicine Show Theatre is set to present the American debut of 14 Little Red Huts by Andrei Platonov, in a new translation by Robert Chandler. The play is a scathing social commentary on the policy of "collectivization," in 1930's Soviet Union, the social construct that forced individual peasant households onto communal farms, and turned villages of diverse professionals into farming collectives that were supplying food for the entirety of a starving population. This is a glimpse into a closed society that Westerners heard of only in whispers that made it through the Iron Curtain. Never before have we had this perspective of a time that was pivotal in shaping modern Russia.

The Medicine Show Theatre will have some of the top voices in Russian studies and literature joining us to lead post-performance conversations on this remarkable piece of archival theater.

These discussions will focus on big-picture issues, such as genocide. How does it begin? How did it happen in a country where the people had just overthrown the Czar? Propaganda, another issue we'll explore, while certainly not exclusive to the Soviet Union, was no doubt the hallmark of early 20th century Russia. The propaganda machine was nothing short of remarkable in its far-reaching and powerful thrall over the people of the Soviet Union.

The distinguished group of experts joining the conversation includes:

? Dr. Olga Meerson of Georgetown University – Nov. 2 & 3

 Edwin Frank, Editor, Classics, New York Review of Books – Nov. 8

? Dr. Kevin M.F. Platt of the University of Pennsylvania – Nov. 10

? Dr. Bradley Gorski of Barnard and Columbia University – Nov. 15

? Dr. Yakov Klots of Hunter College – Nov. 17

The Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble is one of the oldest experimental theatre companies in the U.S. The troupe offers alternatives to conventional theatre by playing with language, music, movement, form and ideas. For more information and reservations, call 212 262 4216. To purchase tickets online, go to brownpapertickets.com. TDF accepted. 14 Little Red Huts will run through November 18th.