An Unbelievable True Story
I AM MY OWN WIFE
by Doug Wright
2004 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
January 23-February 8, 2026
Broadway Theatre Center | Studio Theatre
Directed by Alexander Coddington
Featuring Jonathan Riker*
Designed and Created by Maaz Ahmed, Eli Davis, Sarah Hunt-Frank, Adam Hastings, Leo Madson, Martilia Marechal, Raeleen McMillion, Jazmín Aurora Medina, Claire Michels, Josh Schmidt***, Lauren Marie Stoner, Simone Tegge, Grayson Thobe, Dev Wiensch, and Emily Marie Wilke*
Check out the I AM MY OWN WIFE trailer!
This Pulitzer Prize-winner explores one of the 20th Century’s most singular lives: that of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, an openly gender-nonconforming antiques collector who boldly endured two of the world’s most repressive regimes in the Nazis and East German Communists while preserving countless Weimar and Jewish cultural artifacts in her East Berlin home museum. Beginning as a one-of-a-kind celebration of queer resilience and transgender experience, this solo performer tour de force gradually reveals a far more complex portrait of survival, truth, and the authentic life at the core of this remarkable true story.
Run time: approximately 2 hours, with one intermission
Jonathan Riker*
This production includes use of herbal cigarettes, strobe/flashing lights, and gunshot sound effects.
Behind-the-Scenes of
I AM MY OWN WIFE
I AM MY OWN WIFE on
The Morning Blend!
Director Alexander Coddington and actor Jonathan Riker chat about what it's like to work on a one-person show and the real lives the play is based on.
Meet Stars Jonathan Riker and Isa Spetz!
Ours stars dig into what makes this show meaningful to them personally and why it’s the right story for right now.
Who was Charlotte
von Mahlsdorf?
We asked our creative team to describe I AM MY OWN WIFE's lead character. Hear what they had to say!
KEY DATES + EVENTS
Here2Play: Wednesday, January 7, 6:00-8:00pm at Dandy (5020 W Vliet St)
Preview: Friday, January 23 at 7:30 pm
Opening: Saturday, January 24 at 8 pm
Pay What You Choose: Monday, January 26 at 7:30 pm, walk-up tickets available starting one hour before the show
Talkbacks: Thursdays, January 29 and February 5 following the 7:30 pm performances
SipStudio: Saturday, January 31, open to attendees of that day's matinee and evening performances
Understudy Performance:
Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30 pm
Pride Night: Friday, February 6 at 7:30pm
Charlotte von Mahlsdorf and Others
Understudy
Lighting Designer
Scenic Charge
Studio Audio & Lighting Supervisor
Scenic Designer
Technical Director and Scenic Builder
Assistant Director
Assistant Sound Designer
Voice and Dialect Designer
Vocal Coach Intern
Costume Designer
Assistant Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Costume Construction
Properties Designer
Assistant Stage Manager Cover
Assistant Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Jonathan Riker*
Isa Spetz
Maaz Ahmed
Carrie Dahl
Eli Davis
Sarah Hunt-Frank
Adam Hastings
Leo Madson
Martilia Marechal
Raeleen McMillion
Abigail Larson
Jazmín Aurora Medina
Claire Michels
Josh Schmidt***
Lauren Marie Stoner
Simone Tegge
Grayson Thobe
Dev Wiensch
Emily Marie Wilke*
Special Thanks:
Silver Anderson
Jeffrey Coleman
Karen Hartman
stacymadson
Vivian Madson
Michael Johnston
Adam White Ossers
Racine Theatre Guild
Paula Randall
Jay Roby
Kat Wodtke
Doug Wright
*
Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
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