Lyric’s “I Am My Own Wife” is an Outstanding Theatrical Experience
Matthew Alvin Brown as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf
Oklahoma City’s Lyric Theatre presents Matthew Alvin Brown in a phenomenal one man performance of “I Am My Own Wife” from playwright Doug Wright. Wright became interested in the true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, born Lothar Berfelde, and determined to interview her and tell her story of survival under oppression. As a young man, Berfelde suffered under an abusive father, an SS officer of the Third Reich. At the height of WWII Lothar defended himself successfully against his father, striking a blow for freedom for himself and his mother. Discovering he was more comfortable in the clothing and persona of a woman, he became a transvestite.
The Nazi regime was responsible for the death of over 6 million Jews and other undesirables. Lothar, now commonly known as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf survived the final months of the Nazi horror in juvenile detention for his act of bravery. He was released by the early saviors of his section of Berlin–the Russians. This bunch was no more tolerant of eccentric behavior than the Nazi’s had been and Charlotte had to tread a very careful line as she managed the museum she had created. Her love of music had led her to collecting early recording devices beginning, of course, with Edison. Her large male hands gently caressed the fragile wax cylinders of early phonographs and the Gründerzeit Museum was born.
Wright ultimately developed the powerful play quoting von Mahldorf, ‘I am my own wife’ for the title “I Am My Own Wife” also the title of her memoir. Michael Baron directs Brown in a fine production. Brown portrays Charlotte beautifully with extremely natural movements clearly demonstrating her in-born feminism displaying bravery with a just a hint of male bravado and a twinkle. In addition to perfectly realizing Charlotte, Brown takes on over 30 different characters in Charlotte’s life from her SS father, to her Stasi interrogators, her friends and family. Interestingly Brown also portrays playwright Doug Wright conducting the interviews. Brown has an amazing ability to demurely swish his skirt and then, mid-stride, transform the skirt to a pair of trousers. A truly astounding performance.
The story is fascinating and this play has earned many awards, among them the Pulitzer Prize, the only one-man-show to do so. Baron and Brown provide a thoughtful and accurate interpretation from considerable research and it shows in every aspect of the production. Scenic Designer, Kate Sullivan is responsible for an intricate set that provides a deliciously simple environment, and incidentally can be used again as the set for “James and the Giant Peach” being performed the same day.
“I Am My Own Wife” is showing at Lyric at the Plaza through April 9, 2017. Show times are 7:30 PM for weeknights and 8:00 PM for Friday and Saturday nights. The final performance will be on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 PM and the Saturday 2:00 PM Matinee will be American Sign Language Interpreted. The theatre is located at 1727 NW 16th Street in the exciting Plaza District. For tickets or further information call 405-524-9312 or visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
Bonus Material
The LGBTQ community has embraced the story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf as one of their own. It is more than a tale of a transvestite; it is a story of survival under political systems punishing anyone not conforming to the establishment’s idea of proper behavior. This survival is miraculous, during the Third Reich anyone who did not meet or embrace the Aryan standards of perfection was persecuted beginning with the Jews, especially marked for persecution. Then under the communist regime those unfortunate enough to wake up one morning on the wrong side of the wall had to bow to the demands of the Soviet Empire. Those demands required sacrifice of individualism and Charlotte von Mahldorf did not sacrifice her individualism, she merely concealed it under her skirts. While researching the story Wright was shown material that suggested von Malsdorf had become an informer for the Stasi, the KGB-style thugs operating in East Berlin. It was not uncommon for the Stasi to label anyone they interviewed only as an informer or a criminal.
—–Elizabeth Hurd