Atlanta theatre company Actor’s Express and Oglethorpe University are poised to once again storm the stage at the Conant Performing Arts Center this spring—this time with an audacious depiction of the rise and precipitous fall of one of history’s most controversial “it girls:” Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France.

In a departure from previous collaborations between Oglethorpe and Actor’s Express, “Marie Antoinette” is not a musical. This show depicts Queen Marie Antoinette as the product of unadulterated extravagance who accedes the French throne at a time of mounting disgust toward her particular brand of aristocratic indulgence. Salacious rumors about Marie churn through the streets, and the popularity of the royal family plummets as the thrum of revolution swells. The clinking of crystal glasses soon devolves in to the clatter of the guillotine.

In this hilarious, modern take on a provocative, historical icon, this young queen’s survival will hardly be a piece of cake.

“Marie Antoinette” is the fourth consecutive co-production of Oglethorpe and Actor’s Express, the bold, award-winning theatre company based in Atlanta. This collaboration annually produces the largest, most anticipated live theatre event on Oglethorpe’s campus, drawing visitors from across the state to enjoy top-notch performances featuring Oglethorpe students alongside working professionals.

ArtsATL called the previous co-production of “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” a “great performance…and worth talking about,” with a special shout-out given to OU student Shashi Yammada whose “scene-stealing” warmth and humor formed the emotional core of the show. The previous year, “Urinetown” was called “Atlanta’s first truly must-see, 10-out-of-10 production of 2023.”

This collaboration is especially impactful for Oglethorpe students, who benefit from working alongside theatre professionals both on stage and behind the scenes. It’s an invaluable opportunity for students to learn from the best—to hone their craft while still in college, instill a love of the arts, and prepare for a career after graduation.

Written by David Adjmi, in 2014, “Marie Antoinette” is directed by Donya K Washington. Washington is the BOLD Associate Artistic Director at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ and previously held positions at the Oregon Shakespeare Destival and Atlanta’s own Alliance Theatre.

“Not only is ‘Marie Antoinette’ a funny satire that asks us to stare history in the face in order to better understand the present, it unflinchingly examines the corrupting nature of power,” says Freddie Ashley, Artistic Director at Actor’s Express.

“Marie Antoinette” will premiere at the Conant Performing Arts Center on Feb. 6. Tickets on sale now at actors-express.com.