EVERYBODY KNOWS: Leonard Cohen Dance Theatre
Rita Sheena / come emote with me
NEW full-length show debuts in Vancouver, after a highly acclaimed run in Montreal and Edmonton!
A story is told through spiraling movement and dance, as we follow Suzanne through 12 Leonard Cohen songs performed by First Aid Kit.
EVERYBODY KNOWS was first performed at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in 2021, and went on tour in 2022 and 2023. Now in its 7th and final iteration, this Fringe favorite returns with more songs, new choreography, and bold costumes. We witness the evolution of Suzanne as her character claws towards completing another grueling Hero’s Journey.
Rita Sheena created this show with her background in classic and contemporary dance styles, love for theatre, and decades of Leonard Cohen devotion.
“a heroic journey through loss and growth”
“The entire work marries together sensuality with feminism in a mature and visceral way. She captures moments — like the torment of a sleepless night — in such a profound and tangible way.”
“I sense her deep connection to the lyrics and music, and it’s almost like a trans-generational kinship. Sheena mines the beauty in suffering and pain, just as Cohen does.”
MONTREAL RAMPAGE - Review
Rachel Levine
“Everybody Knows brings Cohen’s world to life through movement”
“increasingly visceral when interpreting themes such as loneliness, despair, sensuality and, yes, even exaltation.”
“Cohen’s lyrics are enhanced not only by her superb twirls, swirls, spins and swivels, a multitude of costumes and well-chosen props.”
WESTMOUNT MAGAZINE (MTL) - Review
Faith Langston
Key Themes: Post-Modern Hero’s Journey
A story is told through spiraling movement and dance, as we follow Suzanne through 12 Leonard Cohen songs performed by First Aid Kit.
EVERYBODY KNOWS was first performed at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in 2021, and went on tour in 2022 and 2023. Now in its 7th and final iteration, this Fringe favorite returns with more songs, new choreography, and bold costumes. We witness the evolution of Suzanne as her character claws towards completing another grueling Hero’s Journey.
Rita Sheena created this show with her background in classic and contemporary dance styles, love for theatre, and decades of Leonard Cohen devotion.
“a heroic journey through loss and growth”
“The entire work marries together sensuality with feminism in a mature and visceral way. She captures moments — like the torment of a sleepless night — in such a profound and tangible way.”
“I sense her deep connection to the lyrics and music, and it’s almost like a trans-generational kinship. Sheena mines the beauty in suffering and pain, just as Cohen does.”
MONTREAL RAMPAGE - Review
Rachel Levine
“Everybody Knows brings Cohen’s world to life through movement”
“increasingly visceral when interpreting themes such as loneliness, despair, sensuality and, yes, even exaltation.”
“Cohen’s lyrics are enhanced not only by her superb twirls, swirls, spins and swivels, a multitude of costumes and well-chosen props.”
WESTMOUNT MAGAZINE (MTL) - Review
Faith Langston
Key Themes: Post-Modern Hero’s Journey
