Lenin's Embalmers by Vern Thiessen

When Boris Zbarsky and Vladimir Vorobiev, two Jewish biochemists, are recruited by Josef Stalin to embalm Lenin after his death, both men are pushed to their limits in preserving the former Soviet leader so that he may physically live forever. Driven by fear and fame, both men attempt to achieve the impossible, but discover a dark secret. If they should succeed the rewards will be boundless, but failure can bring only one outcome. Based on a true story, Governor General’s Literary Award winning playwright Vern Thiessen brings us a dark comedy that brings to light the resilience of the human spirit, ever-changing war games, and the importance of always having vodka on hand.

Finalist for the 2011 Governor General's Literary Award for Drama