BIG ARTS presents 'I Am My Own Wife'

COURTESY PHOTO Kevin Loreque in "I Am My Own Wife." "I Am My Own Wife" is the true story of the mysterious Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, born Lothar Berfelde, a German transvestite and true eccentric. Kevin Loreque, who performs the role of von Mahlsdorf along with 35 other characters, will appear in this one-man play at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Rd., Sanibel. Tickets are $35.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, a Tony Award, and numerous others, I Am My Own Wife opens as American journalist John Marks comes across Charlotte von Mahlsdorf's story and passes it along to his friend Doug Wright, a playwright. Wright, intrigued by the story of an East Berlin antique collector who managed to survive the repressive regimes of both the Nazis and the Communists, raises the money to travel to Germany and interviews Charlotte in 1993.

As the story unravels, Wright discovers that von Mahlsdorf may have served as an informant for the dreaded East German secret police. It is left up to the audience to decide, was she truly a spy? Was she a murderer? How much of her story is true?

Kevin Loreque, originally from Los Angeles, studied acting at the prestigious Beverly Hills Playhouse. He received an Ovation Award nomination for his portrayal of Pirelli in Sweeney Todd and a Drama-Logue Award for his work in Lies and Legends.

A member of Actor's Equity Association, Loreque has many film and TV credits.

On Stage at BIG ARTS is a series of theatrical programs designed to promote enjoyment of professional theater arts for the residents and visitors of Sanibel and Captiva. The final production will be "Clay Jenkinson is J. Robert Oppenheimer," on March 19. For further information about this event and other upcoming events at BIG ARTS, to purchase tickets, or become a member, call (239) 395-0900, e-mail info@ BIGARTS.org or log on to www.BIGARTS. org.