Art Hounds: Extraordinary women and girls

This week, the Art Hounds recommend "Matilda the Musical," "She Went to War" and "I Am My Own Wife."

Poet Janna Knittel is a fan of books by Roald Dahl, and is thrilled she's got her tickets to see "Matilda the Musical" at the Orpheum Theatre. Based on the children's book, it's about a 5-year-old girl with special powers who uses her wits to overcome daunting circumstances. There will be performances March 28 through April 2.

Writer Rachel Smoka-Richardson is headed to the Guthrie to see "She Went to War." Created by The Telling Project, it's an autobiographical performance by four female veterans about their experiences in combat. Raised in a military family, Smoka-Richardson says she's always curious to learn more about the experience of war, and is looking forward to hearing about battle from a female perspective. Performances run through April 2.

Lanesboro Arts Program Director Adam Wiltgen got a sneak peek of Commonweal Theatre Company's production of "I Am My Own Wife" and was thoroughly impressed by the one-man show. It recounts the story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, born Lothar Berfelde, who survived both the Nazi and Soviet regimes of East Berlin as a transvestite. Wiltgen says it's a striking story about someone who dared to live honestly in a time of oppression and conformity. Performances run through April 2.