WaterTower Theatre Announces Cast & Creative Details for I AM MY OWN WIFE

Addison (TX) – WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Shane Peterman today announced casting and creative details for I Am My Own Wife.

The fourth show in WaterTower Theatre’s 24th Season, I Am My Own Wife will run from April 16th – May 3rd, 2020 on the Terry Martin Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre. This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Doug Wright is based on a true story, and inspired by interviews conducted by the playwright over several years. I Am My Own Wife tells the fascinating story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, an elegant and eccentric 65-year old German transgender woman who, against all odds, managed to survive both the Nazi onslaught and the repressive East German Communist regime. Using more than 30 characters all played by a single person, Wright pieces together the stories of Charlotte’s captivating and controversial life. Winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, I Am My Own Wife is a profound story of courage & survival.

WaterTower Theatre’s production is directed by Ashley Puckett Gonzales. The production stars Bob Hess as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, et al., and Nick Moore will join the production as the understudy. The creative team includes Ryan Burkle as Lighting Designer, Marilu Gonzalez as Costume Designer, Hillary Collazo Abbott as Properties Designer, Brian Clinnin as Scenic Designer, Marco Salinas as Sound Designer, Kellie McMenemon as Production Stage Manager, and Audrey Schwartz as Production Advisor.

WaterTower Theatre’s Season 24 Opening Night Sponsor is Antonio Ristorante.

WaterTower Theatre’s 2019-2020 Season Sponsor is the Town of Addison.

Bob Hess (Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, et al.) is delighted to be back at WaterTower Theatre again, having appeared here as Mr. Bennet/Charlotte in Pride and Prejudice, Pastor Greg in Hand to God, Henry Lane in Sexy Laundry, The Preacher in Baptized to the Bone, and Harry in Company. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Bob has appeared on nearly every stage in the Metroplex over the last 40 years, most recently in Circle Theatre’s production of A 3D Adventure. Some of his other favorite performances have included Beauchamp in Artist Descending a Staircase and Mr. Candy in King Liz (Amphibian Productions), Arnold in Hir (Stage West), Georges in La Cage aux Folles, George in It Shoulda Been You (Broadway World Award), Efram in The Nance (DFW Critics’ Forum Award), and Vanya in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (DFW Critics’ Forum Award & Dallas Voice Actor of the Year) (Uptown Players), Gibson/Homer in Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play (Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre), Hertz Klinemann in Rock of Ages and Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet (Casa Manana), Mr. Sawyer in Miracle on 34th Street (Dallas Children’s Theater), Doug in The Great God Pan (Second Thought Theatre), Martin in The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (Kitchen Dog Theatre), and Boolie in Driving Miss Daisy (with Sandy Duncan) (North Carolina Theatre). Bob currently serves as a Professor of Theatre in Acting at University of North Texas and is proud to be represented by The Mary Collins Agency.

Ashley Puckett Gonzales (Director) is a DFW native and has been an NYC "Texpat" for 15 years. She has worked as a director and associate director in professional and community theatres such as The Mountain Playhouse, Argyle Theatre, Pfamily Arts and Garland Civic Theater as well as directing concerts for her charity, Gideon's Feet. Ashley has 20+ years of experience as a teacher and coach, and has directed numerous educational productions both for schools and independently. Her students have worked in shows ranging from Broadway’s Lion King, to community theatre, to Dallas Theatre Center and other regional houses. Ashley is an accomplished actress that has performed in Broadway National tours and at countless regional theaters. She brings that experience to bear in her passion to partner with good actors to tell good stories.

I Am My Own Wife Performance details:

In the Terry Martin Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre

Show Run Dates: April 16 - May 3, 2020

Preview: Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 7:30pm

Opening night: Friday, April 17, 2019 at 8:00pm

Performances:

Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7:30 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays: 8:00 p.m.

Sundays: 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices:

Single Tickets - $38

*Student, Industry, and HERO (Veterans and active duty service personnel) discounts available

*Subscribers always get discounts and may purchase additional individual tickets at a discount as well

How/Where to Buy Tickets:

Online: www.watertowertheatre.org

By Phone: 972.450.6232

Or In-person:

WaterTower Theatre at the Addison Theatre Centre
15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001

Fax: 972.450.6244
Email: boxoffice@watertowertheatre.org

Box Office Hours

Performance Weeks:
Tuesday-Saturday Noon - 6 p.m.
Closed Sunday-Monday

Non-Performance Weeks:
Tuesday-Friday Noon - 6 p.m.
Closed Saturday-Monday
Please note: The Box Office opens one hour before show time on performance days and remains open through intermission.

About WaterTower Theatre

Founded in 1996, WaterTower Theatre (WTT) is one of Texas' leading professional theatre companies and one of the flagship arts institutions in North Texas, having played an important role as a leader in developing new talent and encouraging the growth of the DFW artistic community through its commitment to hiring local artists. WaterTower Theatre is consistently recognized for its artistic excellence by the Dallas Theatre League, DFW Theatre Critics Forum, The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Observer, D Magazine, The Column, and The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, among others. WaterTower Theatre has a subscription base of more than 2,000 subscribers and serves an audience of over 24,000 patrons annually.

WaterTower Theatre is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, proudly operating under an SPT license with Actors Equity Association, the labor union representing American actors and stage managers. WaterTower Theatre relies on its ticket income and generous donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government organizations to produce world-class live professional theatre and to offer community engagement and arts education programs. WaterTower Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of the Town of Addison, The Civic League, The Shubert Foundation, TACA, Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. WaterTower Theatre’s 2019-2020 Season is also supported, in part, through the generosity of its many civic, corporate, and foundation donors including AMLI Residential Addison, CIC Partners, FASTSIGNS Carrollton, Guaranty Bank, ONCOR, and individual donors Don and Barbara Daseke, The Bob Downs Family, Stan Graner and Jim McBride, Phillip and Janeva Longacre, Kathy Messina and Gary Goodwin, Janiece and Jimmy Niemann, Karol Omlor, Jack and Libby Swindle, Deborah and Craig Sutton, and Ron and Donna Whitehead.

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