Scan barcode
lan_string's review against another edition
4.25
Very engaging, very brave character study for someone you so admire. The foreword improved my understanding of/appreciation for this play a lot.
a_ab's review against another edition
3.0
Meandering story, not very coherently told, but fascinating anyway.
hannahp23's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
joypouros's review against another edition
3.0
Oof. What it boils down to is that I have an issue with things that people write about others, but the subject doesn't get to see the final product. This is one of those things. Suspiciously, Doug's little writing muse didn't show up until years after the interviews and the work wasn't finished until the Charlotte is deceased.
It's an interesting story ruined by uninspired writing. I actually love the concept of this show being a one woman (played by one man) production, but instead of the focus being on her life, it's focused on Doug writing a play about her life. Doug is one of the prominent characters.
It's also, by his admission, fictionalized.
So now I'm reading a show about the playwright wanting to write a show about a real person, but what we do get about that real (and very interesting) person is a mix of fact and fiction?!?
I really think this could be a great production, but it's the playwrights choices in material presentation that make this iffy.
A transvestite survived Nazi Germany and communism. But when the playwright found it that she may have done so by being an informant, he decided not to write the play about her story, but instead about him learning her story (again, with parts fictionalized). And then she passed before knowing the final material (and therefore, without having the opportunity to object to it or otherwise voice her opinion.) I wish this had just been done from her perspective and Doug could check his mental anguish at the door.
It's an interesting story ruined by uninspired writing. I actually love the concept of this show being a one woman (played by one man) production, but instead of the focus being on her life, it's focused on Doug writing a play about her life. Doug is one of the prominent characters.
It's also, by his admission, fictionalized.
So now I'm reading a show about the playwright wanting to write a show about a real person, but what we do get about that real (and very interesting) person is a mix of fact and fiction?!?
I really think this could be a great production, but it's the playwrights choices in material presentation that make this iffy.
A transvestite survived Nazi Germany and communism. But when the playwright found it that she may have done so by being an informant, he decided not to write the play about her story, but instead about him learning her story (again, with parts fictionalized). And then she passed before knowing the final material (and therefore, without having the opportunity to object to it or otherwise voice her opinion.) I wish this had just been done from her perspective and Doug could check his mental anguish at the door.
saavybookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Obviously plays are meant to be performed instead of reading but I love the language and the spirit and I wish that I can still see a production of it now. It first premiered 10 years ago and it is a one-man ( playing a woman) show!! He (she) has over 15 characters to play with different genders, accents, and personalities! And all that German to learn too! Reading it was great but to see it done would be extraordinary!
jackieeh's review against another edition
5.0
I read this for the first time in 2008 and liked it just fine. Today I reread it and loved it. This is partially, for sure, maturity, but also the whole writer thing: trying to figure out how to negotiate living subjects is more fascinating than ever. I am in awe of the fact that a single actor has to pull this off.
welkinvault's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a quite incredible Tony and Pulitzer winning play about the challenging life of Charlotta von Mahlsdorf, the German antiquarian who survived Nazi & Stasi Germany as a transwoman. Don't worry about the occasional German dialogue, you could do what I did (skimmed over it) as it lends flavour but not knowing German did not detract from the play
444christina's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sophiemartin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0