Everyman Theatre's newest play, I Am My Own Wife, takes the stage in an unconventional and slightly unsettling manner in a one-man play about a "granny tranny." If you think it can't get any more unusual, just consider that the only actor also plays 34 other characters.
Lifestyles that deviate from the norm have proved to be a favorite of playwright Doug Wright. Even those who are not theater aficionados may have heard of his award-winning play about Marquis de Sade which inspired the 2000 film Quills with Kate Winslet and Geoffrey Rush. Similarly, I Am My Own Wife is just as equally focused on one of history's more interesting characters.
Although not quite as famous as de Sade, Charlotte von Mahlsdorf is as colorful a character as any. She is described as "the single most eccentric individual the Cold War ever birthed." However, in actuality, she is a German transvestite who managed to escape persecution from the homophobic Communists and Nazis. Upon hearing of her story, Wright became acquainted with von Mahlsdorf and then made her the central character in his play.
Interestingly enough, Wright wrote himself as one of the many characters in the play. By doing this, he makes it very clear to the audience as to why he found von Mahlsdorf so fascinating: von Mahlsdorf became the hero he never had in his childhood as a homosexual in Texas.
On stage, von Mahlsdorf (Bruce Nelson) appears with an entrance that would have demanded attention even if the stage weren't empty. The costume is simple: a black sweater, black skirt and black kerchief that are all accented by a strand of pearls.
However, costumes do not have the ability to instantly transform the actor into whatever he or she is portraying. In this case, it is not the skirt that makes Nelson a man who has chosen to be a woman but rather his mannerisms. His portrayal of von Mahlsdorf is complete with flourishes and gestures that are generally indicators of femininity.
In the opening scene, von Mahlsdorf speaks to the audience as if she is giving one of her famous museum tours, demonstrating her affinity for the furniture she has collected. Describing each piece with the affection one normally has for a family member, von Mahlsdorf lifts miniature replicas of the furniture from a small box resting on a table.
With the exception of this box and miniature furniture, the set is minimalist. Real furniture looms in the corners of the stage but rarely does any action take place in the vicinity of it.
The plot is mainly told through a series of interviews that Wright conducts with von Mahlsdorf. She nostalgically recounts the history of the gay bar and nightclub she ran in the basement of her house and of her alleged involvement with the Stasi.
Nelson becomes different characters in order to create the world outside Wright and von Mahlsdorf's interviews. There are no announcements for when Nelson switches characters but never once is the audience confused as to who he is supposed to be. Simple changes in posture or more complicated changes in accents help to clarify the different characters.
As the characters change, the audience is constantly transported between the late 19th century and nearly present day. Thankfully, as the time period shifts, so does the gravity of the subject matter. For all the conversations that focus on oppression, there are also many scenes that provide excellent comic relief.
Many jokes focus on language barriers that come from the inability to speak German. If you were expecting the humor to be a little more inappropriate in a play about a transvestite, don't worry. There are still plenty of quips that focus on such matters as near encounters with S&M in a public restroom.
The logistics of the Pulitzer award-winning play are intimidating for any playhouse to attempt. However, Everyman Theatre successfully pulls off I Am My Own Wife with poise and talent. Nelson's interpretation of von Mahlsdorf is not only powerful but also impressive. Not only does he spectacularly switch personas and accents but he is also able to recite hundreds of lines without flaw.
I Am My Own Wife is probably not the best play to attend if you are not "drama-inclined." There is no action except for Nelson walking around the stage. There are no interpersonal interactions except for Nelson's transitions between characters. For some, this may be a deterrent.
However, I Am My Own Wife will undoubtedly impress those who are willing to experience a different kind of play. This bizarre play is sure to tell a story that you haven't heard before.
I Am My Own Wife is playing through Feb. 22 at the Everyman Theatre in Station North. Tickets are $18-$38 at www.everymantheatre.org.
