Photo Flash: About Face Theatre Presents I AM MY OWN WIFE
By: A.A. Cristi Nov. 10, 2016
About Face Theatre is pleased to launch its 2016-17 Season with a reimagining of Doug Wright's I AM MY OWN WIFE, the Tony, Pulitzer Prize and Lambda Literary Award-winning play first developed at AFT back in 2003. Traditionally staged as a one-person play performed by a male actor, Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff's new exploration will feature transgender actress Delia Kropp with three additional actors. I AM MY OWN WIFE will play November 4 - December 10, 2016 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at aboutfacetheatre.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at Theater Wit Box Office. The press opening is Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 pm.
I AM MY OWN WIFE will feature Delia Kropp with AFT Artistic Associate Scott Duff and Ninos Baba and Matt Holzfeind.
I AM MY OWN WIFE is based on the true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf (born Lothar Berfelde) who, against all odds, survived the Nazi and Communist regimes in East Berlin living openly as a female. About Face's new production frames Charlotte's story through a transgender lens, celebrating transvisibility through the life story of one of the most fascinating transgender women in history.
"I'm excited to dig back into Charlotte's story with Delia, who brings a refreshing authenticity to the role," comments Andrew Volkoff. "Working with Delia and the three other actors refocuses us on Doug Wright's fantastic text, re-emphasizing Charlotte's narrative, and creating new visibility for her in this context. Wright, who has remained a loyal AFT supporter, has given us his blessing to cast the role in this way and is excited by its historical significance. We are thrilled to bring Charlotte von Mahlsdorf's story back to Chicago in a new way."
The production team for I AM MY OWN WIFE includes Brian Prather (scenic design), Bob Kuhn (costume design), John Kelly (lighting design), Sarah Espinoza (sound design), Brock Alter (projection design) and Caitlin Roper (stage manager).
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Title: I AM MY OWN WIFE
Playwright: Doug Wright
Director: Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff
Cast: Delia Kropp (Charlotte von Mahlsdorf) with AFT Artistic Associate Scott Duff (Doug) and Ninos Baba (Actor 1) and Matt Holzfeind (Actor 2).
Location: Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
Dates: Previews: Friday, November 4 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 6 at 3 pm.
Press opening: Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Friday, November 11 - Saturday, December 10, 2016
Curtain Times: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm Please note: there will not be performance on Wednesday, November 23 or Thursday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Day); there will be added performances on Saturday, November 26 at 3 pm, Sunday, November 27 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 10 at 3 pm.
Tickets: Previews: $20 adults, $10 students and seniors. Regular run: $40 adults, $20 students and seniors. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are currently available at aboutfacetheatre.com, by calling (773) 975-8150 or in person at Theater Wit Box Office.
Creative Biographies
Doug Wright (Playwright) earned the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for I Am My Own Wife. Other stage works include the Broadway-bound War Paint (which received its world this summer at Chicago's Goodman Theatre), Grey Gardens (Tony Award nomination), The Little Mermaid and Hands on a Hardbody. Film credits include Quills, based on his Obie Award-winning play, nominated for three Academy Awards. Television credits include Tony Bennett: An American Classic, directed by Rob Marshall. Honors include the Benjamin H. Dank Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Tolerance Prize from Kulturforum Europa and the Paul Selvin Award from Writers Guild of America. He is the president of the Dramatists Guild, a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and on the board of the New York Theatre Workshop. Mr. Wright is married to singer/songwriter David Clement.
Andrew Volkoff (Director) joined About Face Theatre in 2013 as Artistic Director, where he has directed the Chicago premieres after all the terrible things I do, Abraham Lincoln Was A F*gg*t and Brahman/i: A One-Hijra Stand Up Comedy Show. He is also a freelance director specializing in new and contemporary works and has directed numerous productions (including several world and regional premieres) in New York, across the U.S. and abroad. Andrew served as Associate Artistic Director of Barrington Stage Company (BSC) in Massachusetts for five years and Genesius Theatre Group in New York City for three years. He also acted as the Co-Artistic Director of the Hangar Theatre Lab for one season. Andrew has worked as the Associate Director on Ella for Rob Ruggiero at Dallas Theatre Center and other regional theatres, is a Drama League Directing Fellow, and an SDC member. Proud to be the first director chosen to participate in the U.S./Bulgaria Directors Exchange Project, Andrew directed the Bulgarian premiere of John Kolvenbach's Lovesong in Sofia at the Nikolai Binev Theatre, where it is still in repertory. B.A.: Macalester College, St. Paul, MN.
About Face Theatre (Andrew Volkoff, Artistic Director) creates exceptional, innovative, and adventurous theatre and educational programming that advances the national dialogue on sexual and gender identity, and challenges and entertains audiences in Chicago and beyond.
(left to right) Scott Duff, Matt Holzfeind, Delia Kropp and Ninos Baba in About Face Theatre’s production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, by Doug Wright, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Delia Kropp in About Face Theatre’s production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, by Doug Wright, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(left to right) Delia Kropp and Scott Duff in About Face Theatre’s production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, by Doug Wright, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(left to right) Ninos Baba and Delia Kropp in About Face Theatre’s production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, by Doug Wright, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(left to right) Matt Holzfeind, Scott Duff and Delia Kropp in About Face Theatre’s production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, by Doug Wright, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(pictured) Delia Kropp in About Face Theatre’s production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, by Doug Wright, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
(front) Delia Kropp with (back l to r) Matt Holzfeind and Ninos Baba in About Face Theatre’s production of I AM MY OWN WIFE, by Doug Wright, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
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