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I Am My Own Wife  By  cover art

I Am My Own Wife

By: Doug Wright
Narrated by: Jefferson Mays
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Publisher's summary

This riveting Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama tells the fascinating, real-life story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a transgender woman who managed to defy insurmountable odds. Based on interviews conducted by the playwright, I Am My Own Wife takes us on a theatrical journey that vividly chronicles the bravery, cunning, and strength that Von Mahlsdorf used to survive both the Nazi and Communist regimes of East Germany. Brilliantly performed by Jefferson Mays in a Tony-winning role, I Am My Own Wife is a thought-provoking, unforgettable portrait of an unlikely hero.

©2020 Doug Wright (P)2020 AO Media LLC
  • Original Recording Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

About the Creator

Doug Wright earned the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for his play I Am My Own Wife. Other stage works include Grey Gardens (Tony Nomination), The Little Mermaid, Hands on a Hardbody, and War Paint. Film: Quills, based on his Obie-winning play, nominated for three Academy Awards. Television: Tony Bennett: An American Classic, directed by Rob Marshall. Honors: Benjamin Dank Prize, the American Academy of Arts and Letters; Tolerance Prize, Kulturforum Europa; Paul Selvin Award, Writers Guild of America. Professional affiliations: President of the Dramatists Guild; member, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, board of the New York Theatre Workshop. Wright is married to singer/songwriter David Clement.

About the Performer

Jefferson recently starred as George Hodel in the TNT miniseries I am the Night, which was directed by Patty Jenkins, and recently had a featured role in the Coen Brothers anthology series, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Jefferson’s television credits include recurring arcs on FX’s The Americans, Cinemax’s The Knick directed by Steven Soderbergh, NBC’s Law & Order: SVU as well as a memorable guest role in the Netflix hit unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In theater, Jefferson was recently nominated for a 2017 Tony Award for his role in the Tony winning play, Oslo. He is best known for his Tony-nominated performance in the Broadway production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, as well as his Tony award winning performance in I am My Own Wife, where he played over 40 different roles. He recently completed his one man version of A Christmas Carol at the Geffen Playhouse.

What listeners say about I Am My Own Wife

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As amazing on audio as it is on stage

As much as I miss what the stage brings to this solo performance, this audio production does justice to this amazing story.

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2 people found this helpful

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Jefferson Mays-amazing!!!

The story line was good, but the performance was spectacular! Mays’ voice is beautiful, seriously was doubting it was one narrator. Genius!!! Thank you so much for providing quality performances! Dee

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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would be nice short film

this was not for me. strange german accent, music in the background, story itself alk that would be a nice short film rather than audio book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Riveting story so glad to hear it here

A fascinating story and one that should be heard. I remember reading about the Tony award performance of this play and now I get to hear it. Thank you.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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own wife

I didnt like this at all. it was hard to follow and too much German. took away from listening

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Powerful

Absolutely loved this short story. it was bold, powerful, and entertaining. I loved listening to the back and fourth dialogue.

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4 people found this helpful

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Jefferson Mays is an amazing narrator!

This is a wonderful story of a unique individual from a part of history that isn’t often explored. The story was captivating in and of itself, but the performance was truly outstanding. When I realized that every character was voiced by the talented Jefferson Mays, I had to go back and listen to it again just to marvel at his talent for voice acting. I would have loved to have seen this performed live on stage!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story, slightly off-putting accent

The story was well done, and I enjoyed how they laid it out. However, it was very strange hearing the incredibly American accent of Karl Marx speaking very American-sounding German.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Stick with the tale

I almost stopped listening about 15 mins into the story. It was odd to me and I wasn’t sure where it was leading. It did finally all come together about a man/women that was born in the wrong century. It ended up being a compelling story

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Interesting

This was an interesting piece but I l lost half way through i realized my interest had shifted away from the story

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