Stage Door News
Stage Door News
January 15, 2016. Toronto, Ontario - As previously announced, Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, directed and conceived by Tracey Power with musical direction and arrangements by Steven Charles, is coming to Toronto. Presented by Theatre 20, with the support of Theatre Passe Muraille, the Firehall Arts Centre production makes its Toronto premiere at Theatre Passe Muraille, February 3-21 (Opening Night February 4), fresh from a sold-out national tour.
Leonard Cohen's powerful and inspirational music is the heartbeat of this eclectic cabaret of loves won and lost. With extraordinary arrangements, six performers play seventeen instruments in this knockout, rollicking tribute to the remarkable writer. Through Cohen's transcendent songs and lyrical honesty, audiences will be transported to New York's infamous hotel - a place full of music and enchantment, desire and passion.
Since premiering at Vancouver's Firehall Arts Centre in 2012, this beautifully inventive show has made stops in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary, Victoria, Vernon, Banff, Fort McMurray, and returned to Vancouver again before currently playing Edmonton's Citadel Theatre until January 24. Audiences and critics have raved:
"This is a seductive evening of rediscovered treasures. Even if you are not a Cohen fan, go see this one."
- Edmonton Sun (2016)
"The production reminds us just how good these songs are.... They beg for interpretation and Chelsea Hotel delivers." - Calgary Herald (2015)
"Cohen's wistful melodies and poetic lyrics seem revitalized and occasionally even reborn thanks to the beauty and boldness of the interpretations." - Times Colonist (Victoria, 2015)
"Chelsea Hotel brings together some of the most beautiful, melancholic and affecting songs in the history of recorded music. " - Winnipeg Free Press (2014)
"Never relying on the safety of Cohen's chops, but cunningly playing with the merchandise.... overwhelming inventiveness.... ingenious creativity" - The Globe and Mail (Vancouver, 2012)
"Chelsea Hotel is a knockout.... The harmonies are as thick as cabaret smoke and the performers exhale them with astonishing ease." - Georgia Straight (Vancouver, 2012)
"The central character is a writer who has locked himself up in the Chelsea Hotel as he struggles to write about love - how he's looked at it over the years, what he's learned, who he's hurt, who's hurt him. Chelsea Hotel is not about Leonard Cohen, but is an interpretation and a celebration of his work," says Power.
A recipient of the Sterling Haynes and Jessie Richardson awards for her work, Tracy Power's work has played in theatres across Canada and Internationally. She recently premiered a new musical Miss Shakespeare at Performance Works in Vancouver, and workshopped a new play, Glory based on the Canadian Women's hockey team, the Preston Rivulettes at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. Tracy also works as an actor, director and choreographer. She recently directed and choreographed Singin' in the Rain for the Chemainus Theatre Festival and choreographed Les Misérables for Western Canada Theatre.
Steven Charles is a musician, composer and performer from Vancouver. He has performed at the Firehall Arts Centre and Arts Club, along with many Folk, Fringe, and Jazz Festivals across Canada, the U.S, and Europe. With the Escape Artists, Steven co-produced Miss Shakespeare and J. Caesar and he continues to perform in productions of Chelsea Hotel in theatres across Canada. He tours internationally with bands Viper Central, and The Fugitives and is very active in Vancouver's music scene.
The cast will feature Rachel Aberle, Sean Cronin, Christina Cuglietta, Benjamin Elliot, Jonathan Gould, and Tracey Power. The team also includes Marshall McMahen (Set Design), Ted Roberts (Lighting Design), Barbara Clayden (Costume Design), Xavier Berbudeau (Sound Design), James MacDonald (Dramaturg), and Donna Spencer (Artistic Producer).
Theatre 20
with the support of Theatre Passe Muraille
presents
Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen
A Firehall Arts Centre Production
directed and conceived by Tracey Power
musical direction and arrangements by Steven Charles
starring Rachel Aberle, Sean Cronin, Christina Cuglietta,
Benjamin Elliot, Jonathan Gould and Tracey Power
Opens February 4 and runs to February 21, 2016 (Previews February 3)
Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto
Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30pm; Matinees Saturday-Sunday at 2:00pm & Feb. 18 at 1:00pm
with an additional special show on Valentine's Day, Sunday February 14 at 7:30pm
Regular Tickets range from $35-$55;
Discounted Tickets: Artsworker with valid I.D. - $30; Under 30 with valid I.D. - $25
Tickets can be purchased by calling 416-504-7529 or by visiting http://www.theatre20.com
or in person at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue
ABOUT THEATRE 20: Theatre 20 is a registered charitable organization and is proud to champion many initiatives that advance musical theatre in Canada. Established in 2010 by a group of Canada's top musical theatre artists - many of who are Broadway and international theatre stars - the company achieves its mission through three core program areas. Theatre 20's ACADEMY provides education, training and mentorship to young artists and musical theatre writers through the Conservatory and Compsosium programs, the DEVELOPMENT initiatives include workshops of new musicals, and its PRODUCTIONS elevate the status of Canadian artists through greater exposure to new audiences. http://www.theatre20.com
Photo: Benjamin Elliot, Marlene Ginader and Lauren Bowler. ©2011 David Cooper.
2016-01-15
Toronto: "Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen" plays Toronto February 4-21