Literature Offers Lessons For Growing Russian-Ukrainian Crisis Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email Performers rehearse a performance of 'The Overcoat' at the Barbican Theatre on Jaunary 20, 2004 in London. The play is loosely based on Nikolai Gogol's short story of the same name. ( Bruno Vincent / Getty ) Produced by Mythili Rao Produced by PRI and WNYC