Margaret Trudeau’s one-woman show to debut at Second City Chicago

Margaret Trudeau — the mother of Canada’s prime minister, ex-wife of an earlier one and an accomplished author-activist herself — is starring in a one-woman show that will make its world premiere in Chicago.

Trudeau is scheduled to perform “Certain Women of an Age” four times May 9-12 at Up Comedy Club, part of the Second City complex at 230 W. North. The run will conclude, appropriately enough, on Mother’s Day.

From her 1971 marriage to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, almost 30 years her senior, to their 1984 divorce and beyond, she was a fixture of the gossip columns, often photographed living it up at Studio 54.

In addition to raising Justin Trudeau, one of her three sons with Pierre, she has been prominent as an advocate for the mentally ill and has written four books, including the best-selling memoir “Changing My Mind.”

In “Certain Women of an Age,” co-written with playwright Alix Sobler, Trudeau recounts her time as Canada’s first lady, her struggles with mental health and the tragic loss of her son Michel in an avalanche. Chicago’s Kimberly Senior directs.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of sharing Margaret’s story in this intimate setting,” Senior said in a statement. “Through her courage, insight, and humor, we all stand a little taller and are better able to face the ever-challenging world around us.”

Tickets, starting at $45, are on sale now at (312) 337-3992 and www.secondcity.com.