"Mother Russia" at Signature

[MezzA101]

Posted: 2/25/26 at 7:02am

‘Mother Russia’ Review: A New Play That’s as Funny as It’s Smart

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/23/theater/mother-russia-review.html?unlocked_article_code=1.O1A.-BiE.Q2Q2SGFvvKRk&smid=nytcore-android-share

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 2/26/26 at 12:08am

I enjoyed this a lot, but there was something that I still can't put my finger on that felt just a little "off" about it, like it needs one more reworking but I can't figure out what they should change.  It straddles tone very well, the playfulness and archness of the characters and their line delivery giving way to the truths about their situations (weirdly it reminded me a bit of Prince F in that way).  There are a lot of laughs that carry you through the show, and the set has some fun transitions as well, but I think maybe it just went on for a bit longer than I wanted it to.  David Turner as Mother Russia I thought was giving the most memorable performance, but there really wasn't a weak link at all in the cast.  I'd be really curious to hear what others thought of this, given that I'm having trouble parsing my own feelings on the play, though I did quite enjoy it overall.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/1/26 at 1:10am

enjoyed this quite a bit. i agree it has some moments that fall flat here and there, but its an engaging 90 minutes that tells a tragic representative tale that confronts communism and capitalism as its imperfect successor.

by far the least developed role in need of the most work is Katya-- more scenes of her surveillance would give us more insight into who she is and what Yevgeny finds so alluring about her. But both Dmitri and Yevgeny are delightful, and I was especially impressed with Adam Chanler Berat who gave Yevgeny more depth than written (though Boyer was pretty hilarious as well). David Turner is simply hilarious in a very tricky "role"--and delivers a monologue that is one of the best Ive seen this year. 

the emotional heft comes from Katya's backstory and late scene with Turner, so its a bit jarring when we flip back to the two doofuses and their antics, only to then fade out on tragedy again. I guess I agree that another turn could smooth much of this out but its worth seeing as is. 

the theater space is configured a little oddly for this- there is a row of "side" seats sort of in between the raked orchestra and the "mezzanine" space--id avoid all the sides on the right given the way the stage is structured. wonder if it will extend. 

[Joyce 9]

Posted: 3/15/26 at 2:45pm

Thoroughly enjoyed this as well.