TORONTO – The Alberta Ballet says it’s in talks to create stage shows based on the lives of Leonard Cohen and k.d. lang.
The Calgary-based dance company has already staged hit ballet tributes to the music of Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan and Elton John.
Artistic director/choreographer Jean Grand-Maitre says he’s now speaking with Cohen’s son, Adam, about creating a ballet about his father.
“That’s a project that’s very dear to me and I’m taking my time with this one,” Grand-Maitre said Thursday as he brought the company’s production of “Love Lies Bleeding,” which outlines John’s life, to Toronto.
“It may take a few years because Leonard Cohen is a very complex artist.”
Grand-Maitre said he’s also talking to lang, with whom he worked on the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, about putting her music and life to a ballet.
He said he’d also like to work with Peter Gabriel one day.
“When you make connections with singers like Elton John, you can get help, you know, you can say: ‘Can you send a quick little email to Mr. Gabriel and tell him how great it was?’ Just like Joni did with Elton,” said Grand-Maitre.
“We’re hoping that the doors will keep opening and that we can do more.”
The Alberta Ballet has had huge success with its dance tributes to Mitchell, John and McLachlan, drawing international attention and acclaim.
Grand-Mairtre said “Love Lies Bleeding” has been the biggest box-office success in the ballet’s 46-year history.
Still, he said the dance company isn’t “trying to just become a songbook company,” noting it balances its repertoire with a mix of contemporary and classical works.
But “there may be an interesting future” if it pursues more shows based on recording artists, he added.
“New audiences are coming, new subscribers, younger audiences, so it’s been very successful in bringing new people to our art form, which is so important for our future,” he said.
“Love Lies Bleeding” will run at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts from Nov. 8 to 12.
The contemporary semi-abstract ballet is set to 14 of the classic songs composed by John and Bernie Taupin.
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