Truth Pays a Price in Shattered Globe’s Vladimir thru Nov 14

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Truth Pays a Price in Shattered Globe’s Vladimir thru Nov 14th - Review By: Paul Lisnek

***/4

Truth Pays a Price in Shattered Globe’s Vladimir.

I have lived in the world of journalism for over 40 years. So I know that there are places where reporting the news may, unfortunately, mean becoming the news. This is the danger that underscores Vladimir, Erika Sheffer’s drama about the professional and personal cost of telling the truth when those in power demand silence. Shattered Globe Theatre’s Midwest premiere at Theater Wit, directed by Lou Contey, takes on this important and sadly timely subject with fine performances and a seriousness of purpose.

The story begins with the rise to power of Vladimir Putin and is based on all too true scenarios, and follows an independent journalist living in Russia who uncovers information that could expose uncomfortable truths and corruption in a country we watch shift toward authoritarian rule. Sound familiar? Pursuing the story means much more than getting the facts right: here, every source becomes a target, and every decision risks consequences beyond the newsroom. Sheffer asks: how much can someone be expected to sacrifice in the establishment of the truth?

What makes that premise compelling is the striking difference between admiring the courage of the journalists, and watching them practice it. It is easy to applaud a journalist’s determination from the safety of our audience seats. It is much harder to weigh the value of pursuing an investigation and its truth, against the very safety of those people. Vladimir does not merely allow us to simply congratulate ourselves for being on the right side of the issue. It makes us watch and feel the risks.

The performances are strong and dramatic which is essential here because the play must be about more than the urgency of the message itself. We have to feel the performances, the human dimension, and we do. The ensemble includes Rebecca Jordan, Drew Schad, Adam Schulmerich and Steve Peebles, alongside Isabel Alamin, Kseniya Janyan, Juliana Liscio, Laila Malak, Tristan Odenkirk and Ben Perry. Their collective work as an ensemble makes the evening much more than an exercise to conclude: censorship is bad and independent journalism critically matters.

The play’s importance does not guarantee great theater, but it does establish a meaningful purpose; and the fine acting keeps us engaged beyond its political concerns to its humanity. 

You’ll leave the theater asking: if truth matters, and disclosing or defending it becomes dangerous—how many of us will simply let others bear the cost.

Shattered Globe’s Vladimir is a worthwhile evening of theater. The subject deserves both our attention and our discomfort. No wonder on opening night that Shattered Globe’s new artistic director Ian Frank welcomed us at the onset nothing that the run of the performances would be dedicated to the journalists who do what they do to keep the truth alive. This is a must see for journalists and all who respect their work to bring out the truth, no matter the professional or personal risk.

Vladimir has a running time of 2 hours and 15 minutes including an intermission, and continues through November 14 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave in Chicago. Tickets can be purchased at www.TheaterWit.org