That’s how Holly Harris, dance reviewer for the Winnipeg Free Press, describes this performance of “Hallelujah“.

Corps de Ballet member Sophia Lee, fresh from a lead role as “First” in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of Mark Godden’s “Svengali“, here dances Leonard Cohen’s modern song classic. Allison Crowe sings and plays piano on-stage with Lee in the world premiere of “The Doorway“, choreographed by Jorden Morris. RWB Soloist Jo-Ann Gudilin (nee Sundermeier), “Mother” in “Svengali“, dons the blue dress to perform “Hallelujah” with Crowe on alternate dates.

(CBC News – screen-caps)

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I’m just back from trekking half-way ‘cross Canada and back, to be present for the public debut of “The Doorway – Scenes from Leonard Cohen“. This new dance piece is exciting and inspiring, and part of a brilliant mixed program, “Pure Ballet” presented by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

After unpacking, and sitting back down at my home computer, I came upon a sour review of the art and entertainment in a newspaper item. As it did not reflect the experience shared by thousands of people this week in Winnipeg, it, and some friendly encouragement by a fellow LeonardCohenFiles.com forum member, I’ve put my hand to at least trying to offer a glimpse into what it’s like… amazing, wonderful, magic… read on, if it be your will

Exciting Ballet News

Leonard Cohen’s music comes to life at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet

As you’d imagine with the words and music of Leonard Cohen, there’s great range and variety in the program – so, consider this as being treated to a flake…

And, heading into soundcheck at Manitoba’s 2305-seat Centennial Concert Hall – here’s the view from the sound-board.

Tonight is the opening of “Pure Ballet” – and the World Premiere of “The Doorway – Scenes from Leonard Cohen“. This ballet, choreographed by Jorden Morris, invites us to explore the words and music of Leonard Cohen. Allison Crowe performs “Hallelujah” in this piece, and the song is danced by Sophia Lee in performances on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Jo-Ann Gudilin (nee Sundermeier) dances the role on Thursday and Saturday.

All is quiet and still inside the Founder’s Studio of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Allison Crowe is off – enjoying the pleasures of this city at the heart of Canada. Tomorrow – dancers and musicians resume rehearsals leading up to this week’s World Premiere of “The Doorway – Scenes from Leonard Cohen“.

“I wish you could all see this – what a beautiful experience – the RWB is amazing!” (Allison’s tweet/post following first rehearsal with all the musicians and dancers.)

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the first organization to present a theatrical or dance production of the works of Leonard Cohen, (1970s “The Shining People of Leonard Cohen“), this May, 2012, presents the World Premiere of “The Doorway – Scenes from Leonard Cohen“, a contemporary dance piece based on the words and music of Cohen, choreographed by Jorden Morris. Musician Allison Crowe performs “Hallelujah” live on-stage (voice, piano) in this new ballet.

The ballet will include selections of Leonard Cohen interviews as spoken word recordings, along with: “The Letters” sung by Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes from the CD “Dear Heather“; “Bird on a Wire” performed live by the Winnipeg-based duo of Keith and Renee; “Hallelujah” performed live by bi-coastal Canadian Allison Crowe; “Since You Asked“, poem recited by Leonard Cohen from the CD “Born to the Breed” A Tribute to Judy Collins; and “Sisters of Mercy” recorded live by US singer-songwriter Cris Williamson on the CD “Circle of Friends“.

And, from the RWB, here’s some details on the dance and its inspiration :

The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen

Beautifully set to the music of Canadian songwriting legend Leonard Cohen, Jorden Morris’s new ballet The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen explores the complexities of relationships across the threshold to love and longing. Initially started as a sketch, Morris expanded the piece into five separate dance vignettes that each tell their own story.

Morris previously choreographed to Cohen’s music in a piece he created for the 31st Annual Genie Awards, titled Dance Me to the End of Love, which was performed by RWB Corps de Ballet member Sophia Lee and former Principal Dancer Jaime Vargas. Morris explains he titled his latest piece The Doorway after a quote of Cohen’s with which he personally identified.

“Cohen says that in his own curious, magical universe (his creative process) is a kind of a doorway. He explains that he can’t really speak too much about it because he can’t quite put his finger on it, except to say that it is a doorway. He has to open it carefully otherwise what is beyond that isn’t accessible to him and it’s something he takes very seriously,” said Morris. “It’s the same for me as when I choreograph.”

Canadian songstress Allison Crowe will perform Cohen’s Hallelujah live during the show, while local Winnipeg duo Keith & Renée will sing Bird on a Wire.

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is hosting an open, free, rehearsal – on Friday, May 4 at 7 pm. This preview of “The Doorway” will include a performance of Cohen’s “Hallelujah“. Sophia Lee is dancer, and Allison Crowe sings and performs the song on piano.

This special event takes place in the Founder’s Studio of the RWB building at 380 Graham Street. To reserve your seat, please call 204-956-2792 or 1-800-667-4792.

So far, it contains a gallery of 487 videos related to Allison. Many are music vids which are found on Allison’s own channel Plenty more are vids of people dancing, laughing, crying, celebrating, grieving, soaking up the sun, walking through the snow and rain, loving, living and passing – to the music of Allison Crowe. There’s cats, dogs, horses, squirrels, and jellyfish. And, there’s vids of musicians who’ve performed concerts with Allison, and many more, inspired by her to sing and play…

“Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make,” says Allison.

Mission accomplished