The actor and musician Ben Elliott discusses his role in the Firehall Arts Centre’s production of Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (17 March-21 April 2018), the music of Cohen, working in Vancouver, the arts, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

As part of the Firehall Arts Centre’s 35th anniversary season, they are staging the award-winning production, Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen. The show has been popular here and throughout Canada when it’s toured. In the show, a writer checks into New York’s Chelsea Hotel, and is haunted by memories of his tumultuous love life. Underscored by music and lyrics of Leonard Cohen, audiences have loved what the show says about love, love lost, requited and unrequited. Joining me now is Benjamin Elliott. He is a rising star in the music and theatre community here in Vancouver. He is a graduate of Bishops University and Studio 58, and is the only performer who has done all of the shows of this production over the past six years. He has been involved in numerous productions, including East Van Panto, and will be the musical director at Bard on the Beach later this year. Chelsea Hotel will be at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova, 17 March to 21 April 2018. Visit www.firehallartscentre.ca for tickets and information. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Ben Elliott; Mr. Elliott, good morning.

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