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| Michael Calkins, Emily Bindiger, Gale Garnett, Nicholas Surovy, Leonard Cohen, Pamela Paluzzi, Rosemary Radcliffe. |
SISTERS OF MERCY [Musical Revue] CN/D: Gene Lesser; M/LY: Leonard Cohen; ADD. M: Zizi Mueller; S: Robert U. Taylor; C: Carrie F. Robbins; L: Spence Mosse; P: Martin J Machat b/s/a/w Lucille Lortel Productions; T: Theatre de Lys (OB); 9/25/73-10/7/73 (15)
Described as “a musical journey into the words of Leonard
Cohen,” Sisters of Mercy, based on
the writings of the contemporary Canadian poet, singer, and songwriter,
received tepid notices and quickly vanished. The material was arranged in a way
that made the evening appear an autobiographical excursion into the hip young
entertainer’s life, with its focus on the irresistible attraction he had for
women, and his remarkable sexual powers.
This “ego trip” of a revue (what would later be called a “juke
box musical”), wrote Clive Barnes, displayed what many then thought was Cohen’s
doubtful prowess as a writer and composer, although Barnes acknowledged that he
greatly enjoyed the production. To Brendan Gill it was “a droopy show,” and to
John Simon there was “a paucity of insight and genuine feeling,” a dearth of
wit and musicality.
The six-member cast included Gale Garnett, Emily Bindiger,
Michael Calkins, Nicholas Surovy, Pamela Paluzzi, and Rosemary Radcliffe. Among
the 20 songs were “”Winter Lady,” “War Song,” “Bird on a Wire,” “TonightWill Be
Fine,” “One of Us Cannot Be Wrong,” “The Singer Must Die,” “Suzanne,” “Love
Calls You By Your Name,” “Dress Rehearsal Rag,” “Sisters of Mercy,” and “So
Long, Marianne.”
Respect for Cohen’s talent, of course, would grow and, when
he died in 2016, his work was regarded with reverence, particular affection
being expressed for his ubiquitous song, “Hallelujah ” which was first recorded in 1984, more than a decade after Sisters of Mercy closed.
