CHELSEA HOTEL: THE SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN Hits Toronto

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.

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 MISERABLES 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).

SHOW DETAILS 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

ABOUT THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE: "Canada's First Theatre for New Work"_Theatre Passe Muraille is a Toronto-based Canadian theatre company, mandated to develop and produce innovative and provocative new theatre works, while nurturing new and established artists and companies. Lead by Artistic Director Andy McKim and General Manager Régine Cadet, Theatre Passe Muraille is home to a repertoire of work that aims to be inclusive, eclectic and representative of Toronto; while creating new collaborative models for the myriad of relationships between independent artists & institutions. Theatre Passe Muraille values empowering artists in the creation and dissemination of their work, looking to help guide that work out into the world. http://www.passemuraille.ca

ABOUT THE FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE: The Firehall Theatre Society, a not for profit charitable organization, operates the 155 seat Firehall Arts Centre in a 108 year old heritage fire hall in downtown Vancouver. The Society's mission is to entertain and engage audiences through the development, production and presentation of high quality theatre, dance, inter-disciplinary performance and visual arts exhibitions which are culturally inclusive and reflective of the Canadian experience. For additional information about the Society's activities, please visit http://www.firehallartscentre.ca

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