San Francisco, are you ready for something truly unforgettable?
If you’ve been waiting for a theatrical experience that shakes you to your core and stays with you long after the final bow, this is it. The critically acclaimed production of Our Class is finally making its way to the West Coast, and it’s landing right here in the Bay Area at Z Space.
Fresh off a sold-out run at BAM in New York and a stint in Boston, this isn't just another play—it's a cultural phenomenon that has critics raving and audiences sitting in stunned silence. And the biggest news? It stars the international stage and screen icon, Chulpan Khamatova.
We’re talking about a strictly limited engagement here—just 12 performances. So, if you love witnessing history in the making (literally and theatrically), you’ll want to keep reading. Here is everything you need to know about Our Class, the star power behind it, and why you need to secure your spot immediately.
Chulpan Khamatova: A global star takes the stage
You might know Chulpan Khamatova from her incredible film work in global hits like Good Bye, Lenin! or The Master and Margarita. She is a powerhouse performer known for her ability to convey deep, complex emotions with a single look. Now, San Francisco audiences get the rare chance to see her live, up close and personal.
In Our Class, Khamatova takes on the role of Rachelka (later Marianna), a character whose journey spans decades of joy, terror, and survival. It’s a demanding role that requires an actor of immense caliber, and critics have already hailed her performance as nothing short of mesmerizing.
Khamatova herself has expressed deep connection to the project, stating, "I want to speak loudly about what happens to people when they are overwhelmed by hatred and war." Her involvement elevates this production from a "must-see" to a "once-in-a-lifetime" event. Watching an artist of her stature navigate the intimate, harrowing beats of this story is worth the ticket price alone.
A story that demands to be heard
Our Class, written by Polish playwright Tadeusz Słobodzianek, isn't an easy watch, but it is an essential one.
The story follows ten classmates—five Jewish and five Catholic—in a small Polish village. We meet them as children, full of playfulness and potential, friends and neighbors who grow up side-by-side. But as history marches forward into 1941, the world around them fractures.
The play is inspired by real-life events surrounding the Jedwabne pogrom, where neighbors turned on neighbors with horrific consequences. It traces these ten lives from childhood through the subsequent eight decades, exploring how deep-seated antisemitism, nationalism, and betrayal can tear a community apart.
It asks the hard questions: How do friends become enemies? How do ordinary people commit extraordinary acts of violence? And how do survivors live with the ghosts of the past? It explores themes of complicity and memory that feel chillingly relevant to our current global climate. As Z Space Executive Director Shafer Mazow notes, presenting this narrative now is "absolutely essential" in a world facing rising polarization.
Production details you need to know
Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and tell your friends. Here are the specifics for the San Francisco run:
Dates: March 27 – April 5, 2026
Venue: Z Space’s Steindler Stage (San Francisco)
Run Time: This is a limited engagement with only 12 performances.
The production is a collaboration between Z Space and Arlekin Players Theatre, an immigrant theater company founded by Igor Golyak. It’s a match made in theatrical heaven, bringing a bold, European aesthetic to the Bay Area stage.
How to get tickets
Because this runs for such a short time, tickets are expected to fly.
Presale Access: The smartest move is to sign up for early access right now. You can register at EventCartel.com to get an email invitation two days before tickets go on sale to the general public.
General Sale: Tickets are slated to go on sale in mid-January 2026.
Where to Buy: You can snag your seats directly from EventCartel.com website or app.
No dates available
By signing up for the presale, you’re also entered into a drawing to attend a rehearsal with director Igor Golyak and Chulpan Khamatova—a dream perk for any theater geek!
The visionary behind the curtain: Igor Golyak
This isn't your grandmother’s period piece. Directed by Ukrainian-born Jewish director Igor Golyak, this production of Our Class is a multimedia marvel.
Golyak is known for his inventive, high-tech approach to theater. He blends live performance with cinematic projections, chalk drawings that map out history in real-time, and immersive sound design. The New York Times calls him "among the most inventive directors working in the United States," and for good reason.
Expect a staging that feels contemporary and urgent. Golyak uses Brechtian techniques—like writing the characters' death dates on a chalkboard right at the start—to ensure we aren't just watching a story; we are witnessing a tragedy we are powerless to stop. The production bridges the gap between the 1940s and today, using modern visuals (like Arlekin's signature video design) to make the history feel terrifyingly present.
Why this show is winning awards left and right
You don't just have to take our word for it. The industry has already given this production its stamp of approval.
During its Off-Broadway run, Our Class swept the 2025 Lucille Lortel Awards, taking home four major trophies:
Outstanding Revival
Outstanding Director (Igor Golyak)
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Scenic Design (Jan Pappelbaum)
TheaterMania called it "Riveting" and ranked it among the top Off-Broadway shows of the year. The Wall Street Journal praised the "excellent" cast. This is a production that has been battle-tested in New York and Boston and emerged as a critical darling.
Why you need to be there
We know, we know—you’re busy. But this is one of those rare cultural moments where the stars align. You have a world-class director, a legendary lead actress, and a script that tackles the most profound questions of human nature, all happening in an intimate venue.
It’s an opportunity to engage with art that matters. Our Class doesn't just entertain; it challenges you to think about loyalty, bravery, and the fragility of social bonds. Plus, seeing Chulpan Khamatova live is the kind of "I was there" moment you’ll be bragging about for years.
Don't miss your chance
The countdown is on. With only a handful of performances in March and April 2026, seats will disappear fast.
Head over to EventCartel.com today and get your name on that presale list. This is your best shot at securing a seat for the most anticipated theatrical event of the season.
See you at the theater!