Displaying items by tag: John Kelly
Review: About Face's "I Am My Own Wife" at Theater Wit
In 2002, About Face Theater company debuted Doug Wright's play "I Am My Own Wife." It opened on Broadway in 2004, and won both the Pulitzer Prize as well as the Tony award for Best New Play. About Face Theater and director Andrew Volkoff revisit the play twelve years later in an eerily relevant political climate. In it, Wright tells the story of the time he spent in Berlin with Charlotte von Mahlsdorf during the early '90s.
Mahlsdorf was the subject of international fame after publishing her autobiography and being awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz by the German government. Charlotte von Mahlsdorf established The Grunderzeit museum, it housed her collection of historical items spanning decades of German history. Her most unique attribute is that she was a transvestite and managed to survive the nazis and the communists.
Playwright Doug Wright turned his interview notes into a mostly one-woman show. His character is played here by Scott Duff and functions as the narrator. Charlotte is portrayed by real life transgender actress Delia Kropp. In little stories about the antiques in her museum, Charlotte reveals more about herself. During both authoritarian regimes, gay people were persecuted. Each item is in some way connected to preserving the history of Germany's lgbt community.
Volkoff's production is sleek and well dressed. The lighting design by John Kelly adds a nice dimension to this otherwise minimal staging. Delia Kropp gives a fascinating performance. Charlotte labeled herself as a transvestite and never opted for sexual reassignment surgery. Delia portrays her with soft androgyny. Kropp's authenticity in voice and mannerism is striking. Her lengthy passages of monologue illuminate the imagination.
It's by no accident About Face selected "I Am My Own Wife" for their season. As the political tides turn, some lgbt communities are worried their legitimacy may be less certain. Doug Wright's play about Charlotte von Mahlsdorf is a reassuring testament to everyday heros. As his character says in the play, "I need to believe this."
Through December 10th at Theater Wit - 1229 W Belmont. 773-975-8150.
Lookingglass' Untitled Vampire Play has bite
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Tom Stoppard’s epic finale Leopoldstadt is an instant classic at Writers Theatre
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Nunsense, Not Quite Immaculate - But Blessed With a Strong Cast
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Cedric the Entertainer brings laughter, life lessons to Aurora’s Paramount Theatre, one-night-only, Saturday, August 8
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4 Chairs Theatre's Good People coming to Theater Wit July 17th through August 23rd
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Collaboraction Theatre announces June shows and events in its new House of Belonging in Humboldt Park
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keerah - Lost Between Myth and Reality
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Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents The Wizard of Oz July 8th through August 9th
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No Dogs in the Kitchen Theatre Company Presents 'The Importance of Being Earnest' July 9-26
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Kokandy Productions Presents SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - August 13 – November 1, 2026 at The Chopin Theatre
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Tom Stoppard’s epic finale Leopoldstadt is an instant classic at Writers Theatre
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