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Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz are pictured in a scene from Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.
GableStage Theatre Company is presenting the regional premiere of Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen at the company’s historic Biltmore Hotel home now until to Jan. 5.
This intimate theatrical cabaret weaves together the lives and iconic music of long-time friends and one-time lovers, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Featuring 13 songs that soundtracked generations of collective yearning including A Case of You, Hallelujah, Big Yellow Taxi, Suzanne and Who By Fire, this captivating musical journey examines the messiness of being human and the struggle to stay connected.
Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen is written by and stars New York-based Danielle Wertz and Washington, DC’s Robbie Schaefer. Wertz is a University of Miami Frost School of Music alumnus and award-winning jazz vocalist and Schaefer is a rock-folk musician. Both performers accompany themselves and each other throughout the performance — Wertz on piano and Schaefer on guitar.
“I’ve been looking for a Leonard Cohen stage opportunity since I was 21,” said Bari Newport, producing artistic director of GableStage. “I was thrilled to find this new production which not only delves into the inspiration behind Leonard Cohen’s most beloved songs, but also Joni Mitchell’s. Hallelujah! Their brief romance and enduring friendship lay the foundation for a remarkable and enlightening evening that is perfect for the holiday season.”
Originally commissioned by Washington, DC’s Signature Theatre Company where it had two soldout runs in 2022 and 2023, Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen is a masterful showcase of two artists whose message of hope continues to resonate.
A number of “wrap-around” special events are scheduled to take place during the run of Both Sides Now. On Monday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m., GableStage Newport will be in conversation with songwriter, rocker (and recently ordained rabbi) Robbie Schaefer. This event is part of the GableStage Dramatically Speaking Series at Temple Beth Am’s The Hub.
Immediately following the Friday, Dec. 20, Both Sides Now performance, Mosaic Miami presents “Love Among the Garbage and the Flowers” with WLRN folk and acoustic music host Michael Stock. Both of these special events are open free to the public.
The Regional Premiere of Both Sides Now is made possible in part through the generous sponsorship of Knight Foundation, Zelda’s Gift Fund, Susan and Richard Lampen, Carolynn and Michael Friedman, David and Jan Ichel, Dorothy & Aaron Podhurst, Howard and Sharon Socol, Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies at the University of Miami, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, and Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.
The production schedule of Both Sides Now includes a special 10:30 a.m. student matinee performance for 120 Miami-Dade High School students on Dec. 17. This program is offered through the Miami-Dade County Cultural Passport Program.
GableStage continues its partnerships with area nonprofits through “Non-Profit Nights” for each production. Organizations utilize the production’s final dress rehearsal as fundraising events for their non-profit. To date, more than $10,000 has been raised for partner organizations through this program.
The non-profit production partner for Both Sides Now is Casa Valentina, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide at-risk and former foster care youth with safe affordable housing, life skills and continued support so that they achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
Both Sides Now runs until Jan. 5, with 7:30 p.m. performances on Wednesday through Saturday. Matinees are offered at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sundays, and on Saturdays, Dec. 28 and Jan. 4. There will be holiday performances on Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Beginning 30 minutes before every performance, audience members are invited to “open a window on the work” by deep diving into the production at hand. A member of the artistic team leads these pre-show talks in the “cafe” in front of the theater.
New this season: Wine Down Fridays. Pre-Show before every Friday performance, Clementine’s Wine Gourmet will offer patrons vino samples from around the world.
Tickets begin at $45, with special rates for artists, military personnel, and groups of eight or more. Students and teachers may attend any performance free of charge through GableStage’s Student/Teacher Rush. Arrive 45 minutes before showtime and fill any empty seat. Student/Teacher ID is required.
Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.GableStage.org or by calling 305-445-1119.
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