imposters & other actresses

by Adin Lenahan

imposters & other actresses (formerly Papers) is an old Hollywood melodrama about sibling rivalry set against the backdrop of the Russian revolution, the Holodomor, and the Holocaust. Rikail Varshavskij is a Romanov imposter and her sister, Ritta, is a Yiddish actress trying to pass for a shiksa. As their fates cross, reflect, and repel each other, we see how the petty grievances of childhood transform into the...

imposters & other actresses (formerly Papers) is an old Hollywood melodrama about sibling rivalry set against the backdrop of the Russian revolution, the Holodomor, and the Holocaust. Rikail Varshavskij is a Romanov imposter and her sister, Ritta, is a Yiddish actress trying to pass for a shiksa. As their fates cross, reflect, and repel each other, we see how the petty grievances of childhood transform into the unforgivable betrayals of age.

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imposters & other actresses

Recommended by

  • Heather Helinsky: imposters & other actresses

    PAPERS skillfully weaves together in fresh new ways narratives that could each be their own play: story of two sisters whose relationship falls apart, the Russian revolution and its aftermath in Ukraine, a lesbian love story, the Holocaust, and a Jewish assimilation narrative. This play doesn't give easy answers and flips the script as we're on this journey with two competitive, squabbling sisters. The play asks how does one navigate a hostile, anti-semitic world without losing one's own identity? Strong theatrical voice, ready for next steps.

    PAPERS skillfully weaves together in fresh new ways narratives that could each be their own play: story of two sisters whose relationship falls apart, the Russian revolution and its aftermath in Ukraine, a lesbian love story, the Holocaust, and a Jewish assimilation narrative. This play doesn't give easy answers and flips the script as we're on this journey with two competitive, squabbling sisters. The play asks how does one navigate a hostile, anti-semitic world without losing one's own identity? Strong theatrical voice, ready for next steps.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Hunter College, Year 2019

Awards

  • The Jewish Plays Project
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • NAPSeries
    Normal Ave
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • Jerome Fellowship
    The Playwrights Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2023