My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Video: PIAF/DIETRICH At The Grand Theatre- First Look

Deborah Hay and Terra C. MacLeod will star in Erin Shields’ adaptation of the bio-play about Édith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich.

By:



The lives and music of Édith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich will take the stage at the Grand Theatre in PIAF/DIETRICH, directed by Grand Theatre Artistic Director Rachel Peake.Check out video highlights of the production.

The production is an adaptation by Erin Shields of the original German work Spatz und Engel (The Angel and The Sparrow) by Daniel Große Boymann and Thomas Kahry, translated by Sam Madwar.

The musical bio-play explores the relationship between the two performers, tracing their first meeting and the friendship that followed. The production features songs including “La vie en rose,” “Milord,” and “Lili Marlene.”

“What I love about this story, told originally through the imaginations of German Daniel Große Boymann and Austrian Thomas Kahry, and adapted for our stage by the endlessly talented Canadian Erin Shields, is that it uses music, conflict, and language to transport us,” said Peake. “Prior to reading this play, I had no idea that these two icons even knew one another. They seem so different – Piaf wearing her heart on her sleeve and her pain in public, while Dietrich hid everything behind a mask of glamour. But friendship is funny that way, attraction is funny that way.”

Deborah Hay will portray Édith Piaf, returning to the Grand Theatre after appearing in Fall On Your Knees and Mary Poppins. Terra C. MacLeod will make her Grand Theatre debut as Marlene Dietrich.

The cast also includes Karen Burthwright and Eric Craig, who previously performed together in the original Broadway cast of Paradise Square. In PIAF/DIETRICH, they will portray multiple supporting roles.

The creative team includes Music Director Mary Ancheta, Choreographer Genny Sermonia, Set Designer Lorenzo Savoini, Costume Designer Ming Wong, Lighting Designer Michelle Ramsay, Sound Designer Emily Porter, Assistant Director Nicole Wilson, Intimacy Director Siobhan Richardson, Dialect Coach Phyllis Cohen, Stage Manager Suzanne McArthur, Assistant Stage Manager Melissa Cameron, and Apprentice Stage Manager Gina Woodward.



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Book of a Musical - Top 3
1. David Hornsby, Chris Hoch, David Hornsby, Chris Hoch - The Lost Boys
27.9% of votes
2. Cinco Paul - Schmigadoon!
24.5% of votes
3. Jim Barne, Kit Buchan - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
24.2% of votes

Don't Miss a Toronto News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...

Local Shows
A Beautiful Noise in Toronto A Beautiful Noise
Princess of Wales Theatre (4/28-6/07)
THE NUTCRACKER by The United European Ballet in Toronto THE NUTCRACKER by The United European Ballet
Brockville Arts Centre (11/27-11/27)
A Midsummer Night's Dream in Toronto A Midsummer Night's Dream
Stratford Festival (5/01-9/26) PHOTOS
Shinedown & Coheed and Cambria in Toronto Shinedown & Coheed and Cambria
Coca-Cola Coliseum (7/13-7/13)
CINDERELLA by The United European Ballet Company in Toronto CINDERELLA by The United European Ballet Company
Centennial Hall (12/01-12/01)
Death of a Salesman in Toronto Death of a Salesman
Stratford Festival (5/05-10/24) PHOTOS
Waiting for Godot in Toronto Waiting for Godot
Stratford Festival (5/14-7/31) PHOTOS
The Hobbit in Toronto The Hobbit
Stratford Festival (4/21-10/23) PHOTOS
Grease: The Lawyer Show in Toronto Grease: The Lawyer Show
Nightwood Theatre (6/04-6/06)
Matilda - Closing Night - Maggots in Toronto Matilda - Closing Night - Maggots
BNZ Theatre (7/05-7/05)


Videos