A new play, Lenin’s Embalmers, tells the story of two scientists who, under tremendous pressure from Stalin, figured out the science of preserving human flesh.

Here’s a clip from the show.

Lenin’s ghost is a walking, talking character. In the first scene, he’s the one on the chair cracking a joke. In the second scene, the scientists begin the embalming process.

Lenin’s Embalmers is showing at the Ensemble Studio Theater through March 28.

[Video Credit: Ensemble Studio Theater.]