I Am My Own Wife -- by Doug Wright (2004)

Description
I shouldn't have described Anna in the Tropics as unique. The uniqueness of this play is incomparable. The interesting part is that these two shows were nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in the same year. This play won.

I Am My Own Wife is the only one-person play that has won a Pulitzer-Prize for Drama. Jefferson Mays became an undeniable theater icon for his portrayal of over 40 characters in this show. However, his biggest challenge was to play just one of them -- the seemingly inimitable Charlotte von Mahlsdorf. Charlotte con Mahlsdorf was originally born Lothar Berfelde. At a young age, Lothar embraced his feminine side and was encouraged by his lesbian aunt to be true to his transgender identity. He narrowly avoided being drafted during the war. Soon thereafter, he killed his father, a Nazi soldier. After being imprisoned for four years, Charlotte began to collect furniture and clocks. Charlotte developed a museum of items that were destined to be destroyed by the war. The public celebrated Charlotte at first, but then the public began to doubt and question Charlotte for her role in ratting out her friends for selling items internationally.

I cannot do the plot justice. The most incredible part is . . . the story is all true. It is based on a true person. Charlotte first wrote an autobiography of the same title. I can't imagine how insane that book is. The play seems to be a theatrical feat. An impossible story is told. What adds to the engagement is that part of the play is a mini-documentary on how the play was made.

Candid Reactions

• I would have loved to have heard the conversations regarding how the transformations between characters were going to occur. I have my thoughts on why this conclusion was drawn: "Often, his transformations are accomplished with lightning speed and minimal suggestion; a raised eyebrow or an unexpected smile" (6). 
• I wonder if the costume has been preserved? 
• I wonder why Alfred's character requires a costume change?
• The description of the set is notable. Wright claims it should be "marvelous debris culled from the 19th century and hoarded with a kind of obsessive grandeur" (7). The way the stage is set reminds me some of the set for the most recent revival of The Color Purple. 
• John Marks asserts, "Still, I think she may well be the most singular, eccentric individual the Cold War has ever birthed" (11). I wouldn't argue that. 
• Wright is clever to have Charlotte say early on, "There is room for everyone, ya?" (12). The themes of inclusion and determined positivity are introduced subtly in this line. 
• The repetition of the line "I became it" must be moving (13). 
• Doug Wright's belief creates some dissonance, "It seems to me, you're an impossibility. You shouldn't even exist" (14). 
• I wonder what book on gender that was. 
• Wright directs the interpretation mindfully as he notes how Charlotte should not look like a person in drag. 
• I was not expecting that side story about Charlotte killing her father. Whoa!
• Another great assertion by Wright: "She doesn't run a museum, she is one!" (22)
• How poetic for Charlotte to paint her windows black. That anecdote reveals much about her. 
• Charlotte's belief that she'll do whatever she wants even if she is dragged along by her government is interesting. 
• That was a pretty anticlimactic ending to Act One. 
• What a wonderful description: "He looks a bit like a cockroach that's been flipped on its back, helplessly" (29). 
• The burial of the glasses is a moving scene. 
• Charlotte is so stubborn. She says, "I am not a tree. I am a flower. And I always carry my flower pot with me" (40).
• The callback to the title is perhaps the most satisfying titular callbacks in this entire project.
• I can't believe her story ended that way! 

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. Importance of Preservation
Charlotte believed in the power of preservation. She valued cultural artifacts and found certain items to be necessities in the world. Charlotte reminds the world of the need to value what helps humans survive. Some items feed the soul.

Doug Wright also believes in the power of preservation. He valued Charlotte's life so much that he helped preserve it in the form of writing. It can be argued that some of the messages of the play feed the soul. 

2. Stamina
What it took for Charlotte to survive in her life is incredible. What odds she fought against were enormous. Charlotte required stamina. Brilliantly, this play is designed to be played by one actor. This decision is a stroke of dramaturgical genius. The actor is required to push himself to his limits. The amount of energy to produce an honorable show is no small feat. Kudos to Jefferson Mays for proving the part can be played with excellence.

Classroom Implications
I could definitely not use this in high school due to some of the inappropriate content.

In terms of studying one-person plays, I imagine that this play deserves to be a must-read.

Personal Takeaway
There are true stories that deserve to be dramatized.

Ranking

	Dialogue	Characters	Plot/Conflict	Symbol/Literary Devices	Overall Enjoyment	TOTAL SCORE 8.5
0	Unfollowable; unrealistic; diction does not match character	Undeveloped; does not reflect humanity	Not engaging; predictable; reader can step away from text because it isn’t gripping	Devices are apparent for cleverness and do not enhance the story	Reader has no interest in re-reading play
1	Not consistently realistic	Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity	Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points	Devices somewhat enhance story (1.25)	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work (1.5)
2	Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters (2)	Fully-developed; depictions reflect humanity (2)	Engaging; unique; reader finds it impossible to put down text because the conflict is so gripping! (1.75)	Devices seamlessly enhance the story and provide rich interpretation	Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically