Word for Word and Z Space present
Assimilation
Stories by E.L. Doctorow & Tatyana Tolstaya
Directed by Rotimi Agbabiaka
Oct 14 - Nov 8, 2026
in Z Below
In “Assimilation” by E. L. Doctorow, Ramon is offered a promotion and cash which could pay for grad school – if he agrees to enter a green-card marriage with his boss’s niece. When he agrees, he gets more than he bargained for.
“Smoke and Shadows” by Tatyana Tolstaya centers on a Russian professor living in the U.S., navigating her professional life, her intimate relationships, and the mysteries of culture. Told with Tolstaya’s sharp, restrained wit, the story zeros in on the experience of living in a new culture, and the confusions and imbalance that can cause.
What does it mean to assimilate? These two writers offer two very different perspectives.
Schedule
Previews: Wed 10/14 and Thur 10/15, 7pm, Fri 10/16 8pm
Opening Night: Sat 10/17 8pm
Run of Show: 10/18 - 11/8 | Wed & Thurs, 7pm | Fri & Sat, 8pm | Sun, 2pm
Word for Word is proud to support the Children’s Book Project, which provides books to children, advancing equity in literacy, learning, and life. Please bring a new or gently used children’s book to donate during the run of the show, and help support this worthy cause. Learn more here.
