The Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui (CTD’A) has an old-fashioned marquee, rectangular and framed in shiny metal—but the black letters arranged in rows do not spell out the title of the play currently being performed there. Instead, it reads, “That trophy is a tombstone, and your speech will become its epitaph.”
On the tiny stage of the Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui’s black-box theater, through May 9, 2026, Jon Lachlan Stewart’s play *The Celebrity Will* presents an intimate and scathing portrait of child stars turned maladjusted adults.
The Celebrity Testament
Fame is ugly in this satirical play, written by Jon Lachlan Stewart and directed by Olivier Morin for the CTD’A. The author of a series of YA books turns out to be a hideous old woman (a bit like J.K. Rowling), all of Hollywood’s celebrities die in a suicide bombing, and, in fits and starts, we follow the sadly familiar story of three child stars who return to work on the series with a sequel—and an ending.
Rebecca Vachon, who plays the star discovered at age 11—a character who blends mommy issues, a vague addiction to oxycodone, and plenty of beauty and talent—is tragic, hilarious, and on edge to the extreme right through the end of the play. You wouldn’t replace her with AI for anything in the world.
The Celebrity Testament runs for 90 minutes and moves at breakneck speed, with fast-forwards and cuts like in an action movie punctuated by sad stories, screams, and tears. It’s unmistakably a satire of Hollywood and of people who grew up on screen, almost too close to reality to be comfortable. But, in the end, it’s funny, as if it were just a movie.
Practical Information
Where? Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui (CTD’A), Jean-Claude-Germain Hall, at 3900 Saint-Denis Street
When? April 21, 2026, to May 9, 2026
How? Regularticket $38 / Under 30 $30 / For more information and to buy a ticket, click here
