Singer and entertainer Sven Ratzke in his role as punk diva Hedwig Photo: picture alliance
By Michael Zollner
It was the success of her life: for more than eight years, Judy Winter shone in more than 500 performances as “Marlene” at the Renaissance Theater. Now the piece comes back. But without Judy Winter.
The Renaissance Theater brings the successful play “Marlene” back to the stage. The premiere is scheduled for October 8, 2023. But Pam Gems’ play is being re-staged by artistic director Gundbert Warns.
This time, a man takes on the leading role of the aging diva. The Berlin singer Sven Ratzke (“Hedwig And The Angry Inch”) slips into the famous swan coat and plays the former Hollywood star. Johanna Asch can be seen at his side as Marlene’s confidante Viv.
“Marlene Dietrich wandered between the sexes and showed enormous courage in her stubbornness and absolute perfectionism,” Ratzke said in a statement. “Caught in fame and lost in a fictional character of her own making. I look into the mirror she holds up to our time and all artists, see myself and look for her. What a challenge!”
With the German premiere in 1998, the Renaissance Theater was a resounding success. The Berlin actress Judy Winter played the leading role in more than 500 performances for more than eight years.