Mobile Review - Plank Reviewers think that Chelsea Hotel is HOT
FOR OUR READERS - EXPLANATORY NOTE: Reviewers Allyson McGrane & Danielle Benzon wrote this review as a text message conversation over mobile phones after the opening night performance. We are exploring this non-traditional review format and would love some comments - let us know what you think of it! And if you have other ideas for alternative review styles, we'd love to hear your thoughts.
CELL PHONE TEXT CONVERSATION
Allyson: The last moment was one of reverence.
Allyson: But this show was overall more irreverent, I would say
Allyson: What think you?
Allyson: And before I forget - I noticed that one character is called The Bellhop in the program but the Magician on the lobby display... Which one is right?
Danielle: Lol give me time to answer my battery is dying!
Danielle: True to form, I agree. Leonard Cohen himself could not better have blended the farcical, passionate, raunchy, pathetic, raging emotions that the ensemble ranged. Although I must admit I found the supporting cast more interesting than the 'central' character. Not his fault I think, just not the casting direction I would've gone. Hard to not look vanilla in contrast.
Danielle: Re:magician, not idea, don't much care, he was my favourite! Him and the violinist.
Danielle: Pos title: had danielle humming and grinning all the way home.
Danielle: Care to elaborate on your feelings re: the neo goth genre? (not the official term)
Allyson: Neo-goth genre - worried it might be overdone!
Allyson: Or that I'm being unfair cuz I did not love the previous Neo-goth shows...
Allyson: Hmmm....
Allyson: And I loved central character guy - he was my fave! Very Chad Lowe sexy.
Allyson: Wait, you're not my generation... Will you catch my Chad Lowe drooling reference?
Allyson: I am still in the lobby - they just popped some champagne!
Allyson: I am not humming now... But I am gonna pull out my CDs - in fact they just started playing Leonard Cohen in the lobby... "There'll be the breaking of the ancient western code / Your private life will suddenly explode... I've seen the future, baby / it is murder."
Allyson: Definitely Chad Lowe - especially up close (he's less than 5 feet from me).
Danielle: Yes, you would, I think that is part of why he was cast. Very leading man, just not my preferred direction.
Allyson: Cohen is sexy!
Danielle: Lol I'm not your generation OR Canadian. You can't win.
Allyson: Damnit!
Danielle: He is. LC is lucky I wasn't around when he was younger, I would have stalked him and stood under his window until he let me in.
Danielle: I think LC's poetry encompasses everything about sex, the shame, the violence and the transcendent spiritual beauty.
Allyson: The publicist Gabriela De Lucca says we are COOL to do a text review.
Allyson: Artistic Producer Donna Spencer just explained to me how SEXY LC is even tho he is old!
Danielle: Well, his essence will always be sexy. I wouldn't shag him now though, he might break...
Danielle: But less about sex and more about the show! I was so impressed how the cast kept swopping instruments. Not only was the movement choreography slick, but the instrument changes were fluid and the harmonies snugly fit into one another. I mean, it's obvious that everyone on this show worked long and hard, but there's more than that here I think. Very well assembled creative team and performers. Very talented bunch.
Allyson: I just heard that the playwright met Cohen in Montreal when her friend ran into him!
Allyson: The friend told him that her name was Heather... And she would name her kid after him... Pretty amazing. And now Heather is here in Vancouver on opening night of a show inspired by a chance encounter.
Allyson: Oh - right the show! Definitely worth seeing.
Allyson: And the cast super talented I agree.
Allyson: Going home now... Check in tomorrow
Danielle: Night night.
REFLECTION FROM THE NEXT DAY
Danielle's thoughts upon waking the next morning:
We never said anything about set and costumes...
I must admit, the style (What IS this style called? Anyone? I really should know this.) isn't what I think of when I think "Leonard Cohen" and initially I was thinking "They shoud've gone less goth-clown, more sleazy hotel." but I got used to it. And I'm not sure if all the costume changes would have worked in any other style. Sticking to black and white give you a lot more room to play where multiple characters are concerned.
And I don't want to say too much about the set, because I don't want to spoil the show for anyone yet to see it, but I thought it was fabulous! imaginative and poignant.
Last note and then I'm done: See this show.
Allyson's thoughts in the morning light (afterglow?):
First, I think that Barbara Clayden who did the costumes TRULY outdid herself. Which is hard to do. Second, the set by Marshall McMahen was effective and evocative... it helped to create a world for these characters to inhabit. Third, Tracey Power was the playwright / director / choreographer on this show - I am impressed by the depth of thought she put into it and the excellent support from the musical director Steven Charles. Fourth, as previously noted, the cast was outstanding - kudos to Rachel Aberle (Sister of Mercy), Lauren Bowler (Sister of Mercy), Steve Charles (Sideman), Benjamin Elliott (The Bellhop / The Magician?), Marlene Ginader (The Woman) and Adrian Glynn McMorran (the Writer). Fifth, I still adore Leonard Cohen. Maybe even more than I did before.
Show runs from now until March 3, 2012 at the Firehall Arts Centre.
That's all folks!