Tony Award winner, 'I Am My Own Wife' in Montreal
At the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre until March 25
Montreal theatre lovers will have the opportunity to see 2004 Tony-Award and Pulitzer-Prize winning story " I Am My Own Wife" by Doug Wright, at the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre until March 25.
Inspired by interviews conducted by the playwright over several years, "I Am My Own Wife" tells the fascinating true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a German transvestite who managed to survive living openly as a cross-dresser since the age of 16. This she accomplished under the 20th Century's two most repressive regimes – the Third Reich and the Communists.
The play is a striking solo performance portraying more than three-dozen characters, including the controversial figure herself and the American writer who became intrigued, disillusioned and impassioned by her.
Preserving history
When the Nazis were looting Jewish homes during World War II, Charlotte followed with a junk cart, rescuing lamps, bronze busts and recordings of banned composers such as Mendelssohn and Offenbach. During the Cold War, when Russians threatened to destroy a Weimar-era cabaret in Berlin, Charlotte rescued each table and faded menu, receiving the Order of Merit for her efforts. At its core, the play is about recording and preserving history and who records it and why.
"I'm drawn to characters who willfully, even gleefully, thwart the status quo; outsiders who subvert or expose their surroundings in a way that's entertaining, sly and arguably, moral," explains playwright, Doug Wright, who won the Obie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting for his play "Quills", which he later on adapted as a screenplay. The movie adaptation was nominated for three Academy Awards.
Brett Christopher will be playing Charlotte and all the other characters, while Chris Abraham will be directing. Set and costume designing will be the responsibility of Yannick Larivée.
Where and when
The play runs until March 25, with performances Monday to Thursday and Saturday and Sunday (including matinees on Wednesday and Sunday). The Leanor and Alvin Theatre is located at 5170 Cote St. Catherine. More information can be found by logging on to:
www.saidyebronfman.org.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 514-739-7944 or 514-790-1245.
par Toula Foscolos 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
