Performance: “I Am My Own Wife” with Ed Shea

In honor of NewportPride weekend, join us for an intimate and unforgettable performance at the Museum with renowned Rhode Island actor and director, Ed Shea.

In Doug Wright’s “I Am My Own Wife”, a personal fascination becomes a gripping historical mystery. Based on interviews with famed German icon Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, this searing one-person show was the winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. When Wright is introduced to Charlotte, he decides he must write a play about her. At first, Wright finds her to be nothing short of miraculous. An LGBTQ pioneer who somehow managed to survive both the Nazis and the Communists. The more he investigates, however, the more complex the story becomes. Soon, he must ask himself if what he needs to believe can hold up against what the truth demands. This is a tour de force performance of his acclaimed production in a new, stripped-down revival centered around themes of identity and contemplation.

Space is limited.  Advanced tickets highly recommended.

Discounted tickets for Museum Members and NewportPride button holders!

Newport Pride is a non-profit focused on building a more welcoming and inclusive LGBTQ+ community in Newport County, Rhode Island.

Celebrate Newport Pride Weekend June 28, 29, and 30!

Newport Out is a queer-owned marketing agency on a mission to highlight Newport County as an inviting destination for travelers & locals who identify under the LGBTQ+ umbrella.

A prolific Rhode Island theatre artist for more than four decades, Ed contributed to the area’s cultural climate as actor, director, teacher, and artistic director. Highlights include his years as a company member of Trinity Rep where he performed in over thirty productions, and his stewardship of 2nd Story Theatre. His work had a lasting impact on the RI theatre-loving community, providing memorable experiences to thousands—in the seats and on the stage. Next Fall, Ed will enroll in the Harvard Divinity School Master of Divinity program focusing on Buddhist ministry. He is currently teaching meditation at the RI Department of Corrections Men’s and Women’s Facilities. This rendition of I Am My Own Wife serves as Ed’s senior Contemplative Studies thesis for his recently awarded BA from Brown University.