I’ll always remember the sounds of Leonard Cohen travelling through my family’s bungalow growing up.

As an 8 year old though, I don’t think I understood the profound resonance Cohen’s lyrics have with so many people. I also don’t think I ever realized that not only is Cohen a musician, but his lyrics are pure poetry. Embraced as a Renaissance Man, his poetry explores religion, politics, loneliness, sexuality, and most notably, love.

Love—sometimes torturous, sometimes beautifully bittersweet—was the central theme of the Cohen-inspired theatre piece Chelsea Hotel at Firehall Arts.

Featuring a cast of six talented musicians, dancers, and actors, Chelsea Hotel delivers emotion, melodic dissonance, and the perfect amount of comic relief. Using Cohen’s lyrics to tell a story through  two halves, a simple set, costuming, and bold, effective theatrical choices, make the poetry come alive onstage, evoking emotion in the audience as well as the cast.

One of my favourite parts of the two hour show (don’t worry, there’s an intermission), was the choreography performed by the three female cast members. Calculated without being careful, the movements accompanied the lyrics perfectly. Raw and sexy without being over the top, these movements were contemporary without being too “dancey” thus not inhibiting people from enjoying the other elements of the show.

Alongside the dance, the musicality of all six cast members was definitely a highlight. Playing everything from drums, guitar, bass, and piano, to cello, violin, accordion, harmonica, and even kazoo, the cast is clearly extremely talented—a perfect match for the ever-celebrated Cohen. Playing all of the music live was the perfect fit for this Canadian musician and poet’s work. Adding to the purposeful drama, the music, along with the lyrics, carried the story, allowing the audience to be immersed in the experience with very few, very effectively placed and delivered lines.

Ultimately, the play was simple. With one set, very subtle costume changes, and scads and scads of balled up paper strewn about the stage to set the mood, nothing more was required to tell the story of Cohen’s many relationships—many of which we can see within ourselves.

Chelsea Hotel finally made me understand what my parent’s love about Cohen. The simplistic delivery of memorable lyrics allowed me to digest the meaning with the help of subtle choreography and amazing live music. I think I might just put on a Cohen record and hide from the rain for the rest of the weekend. You know where to find me.

Showing until March 29, head to the Firehall Arts to be inspired by the words of Cohen and the acting of a fabulously talented cast. Expect shivers, moments of awe, and even tears (if you’re the older lady in the back). More details about the show, cast, and ticketing can be found online.