Marlène Schaff Brings "A Queen is Born" One-Woman Show to Théâtre du Petit Gymnase

Marlène Schaff, known as a professor on Star Academy, performs her one-woman musical show "A Queen is Born" at the Théâtre du Petit Gymnase. The show centers on the birth of Petra, Schaff's superhero alter ego, whose costume draws on the Drag Queen universe: her crown is a wig, her whip is false eyelashes. Described as alter ego, nemesis and best friend, Petra says everything and dares everything, recounting Marlène through anecdotes, jokes and songs, and unlike Marlène, Petra fears nothing. The production is billed as an atypical and moving one-woman show honoring an Oscar Wilde line: "Give a man a mask and he will tell you the truth." Audiences drawn to French songs and shouting are invited to see Marlène; those who enjoy uncomfortable outfits and laughing are invited to see Petra. Press coverage includes Guilty News, which wrote that between two piano notes she sings, plays, dances (almost) and above all makes us laugh, but that without warning she shakes you, turns you around and leaves you shedding a few tears in the modesty of a dark room. 20 minutes called it "a glittery middle finger to unsolicited opinions"; Le JDD described it as "fire under the gloss"; Tribu termed it a show as funny as it is liberating, a joyful celebration of identity and the freedom to be oneself; and L'Affiche wrote that Marlène offers something like a balm to apply to our scraped hearts. The event is a partner event of Club Artistik Rezo, with information sourced from a press release.