The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience is a moving and thought-provoking musical tribute to the life and career of the legendary Leonard Cohen. It is an insightful, entertaining, and wonderful night at the theatre. It is an experience that will be unique for each member of the audience.
Using his songs and his own words, the show examines his career as a sing / songwriter beginning in the 1960’s until his last studio album. It explores his journey of becoming a songwriter, the influences from growing up in Montreal, his travels around the world, and the women in his life. However, the show doesn’t give Cohen’s entire life story. Instead, it presents his reflections on certain periods of his life. The show is bookended by his muse Marianne, the subject of “So Long, Marianne”. It is fitting since she had a tremendous influence on his professional and personal life, even after they parted. Cohen’s thoughts on his legacy, love, family, faith, and mortality are explored. It gives a portrait of a man who is always open and aware of the world around him, and engages fearlessly. Yet, he had a complicated interior life. The show reveals the richness of his work, and in a very entertaining style. This is not a dry biography of Leonard Cohen. It may inspire another listen to his catalogue.
The choices of Cohen’s songs are meaningful and some are surprising. They are arranged as jazz, torch song, rock, and R&B. These audacious versions bring something new, another meaning, and depth to the text. It’s exciting, beautiful, and rousing. It will stay with you after the lights go up.
The show is performed by five singers, two women and three men: Divine Brown, Emily Schultz, Beau Dixon, Andrew Penner, and Michael Torontow. They are superb! They give each number a personality, a unique insight and emotional perspective to songs. The live band is fantastic, with a horn section that is a show stopper. It’s hard to say which number will be your favourite.
Although Leonard Cohen is no longer with us, his work still strikes a chord. It may be secret, but it will most likely be very personal. That is why his art endures.
Photo credit: Marie-Andrée Lemire
The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience. Directed by Frank Cox-O’Connell. Show continues until October 25, at Segal Centre, 5170 Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal. Call the box office 514-739-7944 or go to www.segalcentre.org .
