The Secret Chord

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"The Secret Chord" is a SoulPepper production staged at the smallish Mirvish CAA Theatre on Yonge Street (just south of Bloor) in Toronto in July and August (2026). Words and music of Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) are showcased. Kate and I are both big fans and have been forever. We could not miss this show even if it meant a drive to Toronto on a sunny Saturday for an afternoon performance.  We did not stay overnight.

This dramatic presentation has written words and music set to stage with accomplished musicians and singers. We loved the show, many times I am brought to tears ("I loved you in the morning..", "An eskimo showed me a movie ...", "I remember you well in a Chelsea Hotel ...").

We arrived early, were able to park nearby, and had a drink in the balcony bar (it's the CAA theatre with CAA discounts!) before the 2:00pm show. We had never been to this theatre. While not an intimate space it is a smaller theatre.

The show ran for 90 minutes without an intermission to a mostly full house. The music and stories introducing and linking them were great. Lighting was dramatic and effective; on the bare concrete wall at the back of the stage complimentary pictures and animations appeared. Our only criticism, a quibble perhaps, is that there was perhaps a little too much soul music. There's lots of folk, some Klezmer, piano bar jazz, some dance/waltz, and lots of musical styles as that's what he did.

Kate took some cell phone photos before the show started. I discretely took some with my camera during the show. Oddly, nobody seemed to mind before, after or during the show. Although the DSLR mirror slap is a bit irritating....

We enjoyed the show; with many fond memories rekindled. If you get a chance ... go! You'll not be disappointed.

Ps. if the title of the show doesn't make sense to you look up the lyrics to "Hallelujah" ...

I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah