The international sensation Bernadette, the Musical, is making its way across the Atlantic and will premiere in the United States in Chicago in February. In advance of this new chapter for a musical centered on a well-known saint, we had the opportunity to talk with lead producer Pierre Ferragu about just what makes a play about a 19th-century French girl so compelling.
Ferragu is now a New Yorker, but grew up in France and lived in Sweden, Poland, and England before settling in the United States. After a career as a Wall Street analyst he started his own research advisory firm six years ago. But recently, he started a new sort of initiative: bringing Bernadette, the Musical, to the U.S. in the hopes of reintroducing beautiful stories to our culture.
The musical premiered in Lourdes in 2019, created in partnership with the Sanctuary. According to the producer, its historical accuracy sets it apart, with dialogue drawn from interrogation records and correspondence. But even with these historical roots, Ferragu says that Bernadette “speaks directly to our time.”
“Think about it,” he explains, “she is the 19th-century equivalent of a teenager getting bullied on Instagram just for sticking to the truth. Her response to that pressure is beautiful, and we have so much to learn from her attitude. On top of that, her story — even before the halo — is just great theater. She stood firm against her detractors with humility, but also with wit and a great sense of humor. She is an incredibly rich character.”
She shows us how
Many Catholics know the general outline of Bernadette’s life. She was a desperately poor French peasant who saw not one, but 18 visions of Mary. Our Lady introduced herself to the girl as “the Immaculate Conception.” Bernadette was met with a lot of resistance and disbelief, but she held steadfast to what she had witnessed.
Ferragu remarked, “Her tenacity is what makes her authentic; honestly, we need more Bernadettes in the world today.
"The persecution she faced provides serious tension for the story, but the inspiration comes from how she handled it. She inspires us to keep going despite opposition, without falling into the trap of antagonism. She shows us how to be courageous without being combative, and firm without being disrespectful."
He expressed his hopes that this play will allow audiences to encounter a well-known story in a new way. “Many know the Saint, but I trust this show will introduce the world to the teenager.”
He recounted how the director initially rejected the project but agreed to spend two days in Lourdes. He returned deeply moved, saying, “I don’t know what she saw, but I know she didn’t lie.”
Ferragu shared his own transformation as well:
Before I started working on the production, I had no idea how vibrant she truly was. My hope is that audiences rediscover her courage — 'I fear nothing, for I have always told the truth' — and her unshakable integrity and simplicity: 'I was asked to tell you, not to convince you.'
Belief rippling out
Ferragu described the moment of the show that he personally finds the most powerful:
The climax is when Bernadette returns from the grotto and repeats the apparition’s words: "I am the Immaculate Conception." That is the turning point. It’s the moment the priest—and eventually the whole town — realizes she simply couldn't be lying.
Our star, Eyma, is powerful in that scene. From the moment I first saw her, she embodied that specific innocence you imagine of Bernadette. Watching Father Peyramale, the first person to hear her say those words, undergo a true conversion on stage is incredibly moving. You really see that belief ripple out through the whole population.
Audiences had the opportunity to encounter Bernadette, the Musical, as it toured throughout France and Italy. The cast was even greeted by Pope Francis personally during their time in Rome.
The U.S. premiere will take place February 12 - March 15, 2026, at the Athenaeum Center Theatre in Chicago. More information and tickets can be found at athenaeumcenter.org.
