Ashley Song plays Katya in Lauren Yee's "Mother Russia," staged by Profile Theatre, June 5-22. (Courtesy Photo: Profile Theatre)

Profile Theatre stages a special play to close out its season.

It’s the newest work by playwright Lauren Yee, “Mother Russia,” starting Saturday, June 7 and staging through June 22 at Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 S.W. Morrison St. Previews are June 5 and June 6 with opening night June 7.

A comedy, it explores the curse of freedom, and reveals what happens when old systems and strongmen fall away — but freedom doesn’t taste as good as we thought it would.

The story: Evgeny and Dmitri are just two average guys who dream of cushy government jobs — but when the fall of the Soviet Union puts hiring on hold, they find work surveilling a former pop star instead. As they bumble their way through the assignment, both spying and life under capitalism prove harder than they thought.

Ashley Song plays Katya and Orion Bradshaw stars as Dmitri, and Josh Hecht directs.

“Mother Russia” comes to Portland only two months after its world premiere put on by Seattle Rep.

“Profile is ecstatic to continue their history of excellence with the second ever production of this play,” said Hecht, the company’s artistic director. “Second productions are a crucial part of a play’s journey, in which the playwright can apply all the learning from the first production to continue refining and tightening. We’re thrilled to be an essential part of this play’s journey on its way to the Signature Theatre in New York next fall.”

Profile Theatre also staged Yee’s “Samsara” this season, and had sold-out readings of three other of her plays in 2023. Said Hecht: “‘Mother Russia’ is a side-splitting and strikingly timely production, meeting Portland’s demand for more of Yee’s work, deepening the audience’s appreciation of her oeuvre, and leaving the audience with a unique perspective on themselves and the world around them all at once.”

Yee is a playwright, screenwriter, and TV writer born and raised in San Francisco. She currently lives in New York City.

Among her work:

Her “Cambodian Rock Band,” with music by Dengue Fever and others, premiered at South Coast Rep, with subsequent productions at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, Victory Gardens, City Theatre, Merrimack Rep, and Signature Theatre.

Her play “The Great Leap” has been produced at Portland Center Stage in a co-production with Artists Repertory Theatre, Denver Center, Seattle Rep, Atlantic Theatre, Guthrie Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Arts Club, InterAct Theatre, Steppenwolf, Pasadena Playhouse/East West Players, and Cygnet Theatre.

Her play “King of Yees” premiered at The Goodman Theatre and Center Theatre Group, followed by productions at Profile Theatre, ACT Theatre, Canada’s National Arts Centre, and Baltimore Center Stage.

More: profiletheatre.org.