Set in 1845 in St. Petersburg, Russia Poor People tells the story of a platonic relationship between an older clerk, Makar, and a young seamstress, Varvara. Varvara flees her abuser to live with an elderly woman and befriends Makar, who lives in the corner of a kitchen. Through letters, their friendship blooms. Until an unwanted suitor arrives. Can love triumph?

Through theatrical imagery, Poor People provides a deliberate commentary on NYC urban life of the 21st Century. The play reflects the challenges of the economic disparity of our time and raises the following questions: To what extent does our environment define us? How does poverty affect us? Poor People stays true to Dostoyevsky’s world, celebrates the resilience and beauty of the human spirit in dark circumstances, and is an innovative blend of physical theatre and scripted text.