Suddenly, a burst of color catches your eye. The Carte Blanche Travestie Revue Theater stands here in Dresden’s Neustadt. For over 20 years, the Carte Blanche has been a fixed institution. It is also the largest Travestie theater in Europe. Zora Schwarz created this extraordinary experience on Prießnitzstraße. It invites you to dream and marvel.
The Carte Blanche’s history is rich with glamour and resilience. In 1984, Zora Schwarz and Erich Mühlheim founded the Carte Blanche. It was a traveling travesty group that toured Germany. After her husband’s death, Zora opened the Travestie-Revue-Theater Carte Blanche in 2003. It was near Pfunds Molkerei. This ended her touring life.
The Carte Blanche shows excerpts from musicals. It also has comedy and parodies. Stars like Cher and Madonna are featured. Katy Perry and Milva are also highlighted.
In 2008, a Sat.1 magazine reporter followed Zora Schwarz. This gave a behind-the-scenes look. The Carte Blanche gained nationwide fame.
By 2009, the ensemble had six members. They were Zora Schwarz, Ann Maciva, Stefanie Colbert, Dusty Rose, Kim Jackson, and Jessica Spirit. Guest artists often joined the show. Elke Winter and Leslie Anderson performed here. Wanda Kay and Marcel Bijou also appeared.
In 2009, the ensemble celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was celebrated with “La Grande Revue”. About 4,000 spectators attended during the Dresdner Filmnächte. That same year, a book about Zora Schwarz and the Carte Blanche was published.
In 2013, disaster struck. The Elbe River flooded the Carte Blanche. The small river Priessnitz overflowed. It destroyed the theater and costume stock. After six months of rebuilding, the Carte Blanche reopened.
In 2015, the Carte Blanche expanded. It merged with the Variete-Theater Dresden. The new theater opened on October 1st. It seats 220 people. It is now one of Europe’s largest travesty theaters.
In 2022, the Carte Blanche reopened after the pandemic. However, Michael Altmann died unexpectedly. He had been with the Carte Blanche for 30 years. Despite this loss, the show went on. The Carte Blanche shone brightly. The Carte Blanche Theater celebrated its anniversary. Partners and friends attended. Guests included Holger Knievel and Petra Morgenstern. The anniversary show “Dresdens Traumfabrik” premiered that night. Donations were collected to support the Panama-Spielplatz.
By 2023, the Carte Blanche ensemble had grown. The team includes Zora Schwarz and Stefanie Colbert. Dusty Rose and Josie Diamond are also part of the team. Mara, Amanda, David, Dascha, and Darina complete the group.
In June 2024, the Carte Blanche Theater celebrated its 40th anniversary. Guest artists included Elke Winter and Jhonny Boy. PaulA Jackson and Miss Chantal also performed. The ensemble was supported by Gene Pascale and Susan Dueval.
The Carte Blanche Theater is run by Carte Blanche Theater GmbH. The company also includes the cocktail bar “ZORA”. Also the hotel “Backstage” is part of it. They are located on Prießnitzstraße 10–12.
The Carte Blanche is more than a theater. It’s an experience. It is a world where transformation and entertainment meet. The Carte Blanche continues to enchant. It is a testament to Zora Schwarz’s vision. It also celebrates the art of travesty.