Shattered Globe: Vladimir
Rebecca Jordan
Shattered Globe Presents VLADIMIR Review - A Journalist Under Attack
TLDR: Set during the first term of Vladimir Putin in Russia, one journalist can’t sit back and let the injustices around her continue. Mounting pressures and the feeling of being watched persist in the design of the play, making Vladimir hit closer to home
Ben Perry, Steve Peebles, and Adam Schulmerich
Where Do You Sit on the Scale of Complicity?
I don’t think I can do this anymore.
Someone has to.
This is the pivotal moment for Russian journalist Raya (Rebecca Jordan). She has been in war torn countries, investigated politicians, and has had a target on her back for most of her career. With the passage of power from president Boris Yeltsin to Vladimir Putin in 2000, this moment becomes the start of our play, and Raya is outraged. Time continues to pass with places and years projected on the gray, concrete pillars framing the stage and she’s now investigating twenty million Russian rubles potentially being embezzled by the government itself. It’s made that target on her back even bigger and she’s come to a point where she either needs to turn back or risk not only her life, but the others involved in this as well.
Throughout Vladimir, we’re following Raya’s investigation and the stakes continue to grow higher. The first act is a lot of set-up for the time period, our characters, and their points of view. Her daughter, Galina (Juliana Liscio), is planning a wedding while also trying to make Raya take a break after her latest injuries reporting from Chechnya. Her editor, Kostya (Adam Schulmerich), tries to play the middle ground of knowing what’s best for Raya healthwise (also with a more than just coworkers vibe), but knows when she’s onto something, it’s usually something worthwhile. And we met her informant, an unsuspecting accountant, Yevgeny (Tristan Odenkirk), who understands the tax system and how to trace the money.
As we continue into the second act, we see how each person is reacting to the political changes around them. Some opt-out of the fight. Some are haunted by what they’ve seen. Others find themselves emboldened to join. But one thing is for sure, the fight is weighing on Raya and we wonder if she’s right in stepping away or continuing to risk her life in the process.
Rebecca Jordan and Tristan Odenkirk
The Message Is Clear
The world of Vladimir is set through those time and place projections as well as small things like the set changes.The lights dim and ensemble members come out in all black clothes and ski masks holding red light pointers that direct where furniture should be moved on and offstage.. They move with precision as they place tablecloths in Raya’s apartment or set a stool with cigarettes next to it for Galina. It creates a foreboding atmosphere like anyone could be followed or watched at any point.
And when two Russian people are speaking with each other, our actors talk with their everyday speaking voices. It’s only when they’re speaking anything other than Russian do we hear them switch to Russian accents. So when it’s time for Raya to address an American audience on her book tour in New York, she looks like a fish out of water as she faces us. She speaks with a Russian accent as she addresses us in English. She fumbles with the copy of her book in front of her. Her hands appear to be shaking as she puts on her glasses. But something is stuck in between the pages and she pauses. She reads. When she peers back up at us, Yevgeny’s last note is clutched in her hand. Her face changes from uncertain to determined. With this final speech, the call to us is clear and Jordan delivers it without so much as a falter in her voice.
Juliana Liscio and Rebecca Jordan
The After Party Thoughts
Chills. During the second act there were multiple moments where goosebumps were running up and down my arms. Not only because this play shows what happened in Russia, but for the same underbelly abuses of power our current president has and everyone looking around at each other like, what do we do? What can we do? A journalist continued to speak out. A playwright is telling her story. We are witnesses to that story and will continue to tell it. This is the definition of what this play is about - simple things done by simple people to continue to stand up for what is right. Don’t let anyone tell you your voice doesn’t matter. Because they only try to silence you when it does.
Overall, I did feel the play was unbalanced between the first and second act in terms of pacing. And if you’re not looking for a character driven work, this show wouldn’t be the best fit for you. However, for those that are looking for a political show where they’ll leave feeling like the fight has returned, Vladimir would be a great fit for you.
RECOMMENDED
Tristan Odenkirk and Rebecca Jordan
When
Now through November 14, 2026
Where
Theater Wit
1229 W Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
Runtime: 2hrs 10min, including intermission
Tickets
$20+
Tickets are available through the Shattered Globe Theatre website
Photos
Michael Brosilow
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
The cast of Vladimir
CAST
Isabel Alamin (Daughter / Masha / TV Crew / Understudy Chovka / Makeup Lady)
Kseniya Janyan (Chovka / Makeup Lady)
Rebecca Jordan (Raya)
Juliana Liscio (Galina)
Laila Malak (Tatiana / Bartender / Book Clerk)
Tristan Odenkirk (Yevgeny / Cameraman)
Steve Peebles (Andrei / Old Man / Deacon)
Ben Perry (Director / Vitaly / News Personality / Sasha)
Drew Schad (Jim)
Adam Schulmerich (Kostya)
Kseniya Janyan and Rebecca Jordan
CREATIVE
Erika Sheffer (Playwright)
Lou Contey (Director)
Joe Schermoly (Scenic Designer)
kClare McKellaston (Costume Designer)
Shelley Strasser (Lighting Designer)
Christopher Kriz (Original Music and Sound Designer)
Nga Sze Chan (Props Designer)
Paul Deziel (Projection Designer)
Elise Kauzlaric (Dialect Coach)
Maren Robinson (Dramaturg)
Catherine Miller (Casting Director)
Ellie Fey (Assistant Lighting Designer)
E Tylkowski (Production Manager)
Nick Peebles (Technical Director)
Leah Donovan (Lead Electrician)
Tina M. Jach (Production Stage Manager)
Emily Nicholas (Assistant Stage Manager)