PETiTOM will take its first steps on the French scene this year. The Quebecer landed one of the lead roles on the show Molière, Municipal Operaexpected at the Dôme de Paris from November.
PETiTOM, whose real name is Tommy Tremblay, is feverish. In a virtual interview with Le Journal, we see very well how the 28-year-old artist gets carried away when it comes time to talk about this first professional opportunity in Paris.
Because he has had his sights set on France for a long time. The Quebecer has also been commuting back and forth between the metropolis and the City of Light for several months to work on a possible first album.
“I’ve dreamed of working there all my life. But I didn’t expect my first contract there to be on such a big show,” he says.
However, the distribution of Molière, the Stadtoper was already complete when the producer of the show called PETiTOM to audition. But after that meeting, he decided to bring back a character that had been cut from the script at the time to join the troupe. The Quebecer will therefore lend his facial features to Joseph Béjart, then Charles Vallet (known as Lagrange), each a member of Molière’s in-laws and confidante.
“The role of Joseph Béjart was written and then withdrawn. But they decided to bring it back by rewriting it for me, inspired by the way I dance, move and my energy on stage. It’s completely crazy,” breathes the Quebecer.
Used to musicals, PETiTOM was in Mamma Mia! and Footloose, presented as part of Just for Laughs. But Molière, the modern opera, is part of a very different lineage.
melodies fromHamilton
Visibly in the same spirit as American megahit Hamilton, Molière, the urban opera will take a decidedly more contemporary approach to reviving a bygone era. Hip-hop, slam and rap flavors color the songs and choreographies.
“It’s very timely. And I also have the chance to make the connection between the audience and the stage by breaking the fourth wall. There is a lot of humor in these moments, in addition to scenes of great emotion. It allows me to perform very different things, different facets of who I am,” emphasizes PETiTOM.
It goes without saying that this project will consume most of his energy in 2023, forcing him to postpone the album project he has been working on for some time. However, the urban opera, a CD of Molière’s songs, will be released later this year.
But it would be a misunderstanding for PETiTOM to think it will abandon Quebec for it. As well as sporadic visits to Montreal, he promises to take his fans behind the scenes of his Parisian adventure via his social media.
“My family, my friends, my audience… it’s all in Quebec. I would never let her down, let’s see,” he insists.
♦ Molière, City Opera will be shown at the Dôme de Paris on November 11th. A tour through France, Belgium and Switzerland follows.