One man plays 30 characters in “I Am My Own Wife” at Seattle Rep

One man will take on 30 characters in the production of “I Am My Own Wife” at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. (Image courtesy Seattle Repertory Theatre)

The single actor taking on the role of 30 characters in “I Am My Own Wife” at the Seattle Repertory Theatre says he originally found the prospect “daunting.”

“I’ve never been on stage alone like that,” Nick Garrison tells Seattle Rep. “But I’m starting to find in rehearsal, it’s liberating […] at first what was horrifying is now full of possibility.”

Director Jerry Manning told The John Curley Show that the production is based on the true story of a transvestite named Charlotte von Mahlsdorf who was able to survive the Nazis living as a woman in Germany.

“It’s incredible that this person was able to survive the two most repressive regimes of the twentieth century in a dress and a pair of high heels,” says Manning. “It’s very much a story about survival and what it costs to survive and how one survives.”

In a video released by Seattle Repertory Theatre, Garrison says he enjoys playing all the characters. “They’re all kind of fabulous in their own way.” But all of it really comes down to the story.

“I’m sure this wasn’t meant to be a tour de force for an actor,” says Garrison. “I think what it ends up becoming is an incredible exercise in storytelling.”

97.3 KIRO FM host John Curley calls Garrison an “amazing” actor, “completely crazy in a really fun way.”

“Nick Garrison is without a doubt the most talented actor we have on the west coast,” says Curley. “I would highly recommend this, this will be good.”

Listen to John Curley Show discussion of “I Am My Own Wife”

“I Am My Own Wife” plays at the Seattle Repertory Theatre Feb. 3 through March 4.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor @jamiegriswold