Acclaimed New Zealand actor, singer and songwriter Deb Filler brings her celebrated solo show Cohen, Bernstein, Joni & Me to Upstairs at the Gatehouse for its first full London run in January.

Combining storytelling with live music and razor-sharp humour, the show traces Filler’s extraordinary personal journey through the worlds of some of the greatest musical figures of the 20th century. Growing up in a Jewish immigrant family shaped by song, Filler searches for her own artistic voice - a quest that leads her into unforgettable encounters with Leonard Bernstein, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell.

From a private performance by Bernstein in Auckland, to driving Cohen to the airport in New York and forming a lifelong friendship, to a backstage meeting with Joni Mitchell in Vancouver, these remarkable moments form the backbone of a deeply personal and often hilarious narrative. Alongside the legends, Filler reflects on love, belonging, family and identity - including a pivotal journey with her father that helps her finally claim her own voice.

Described as “searingly honest” and “bitingly funny”, Cohen, Bernstein, Joni & Me is a musical and emotional journey through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, reminding us how deeply our past shapes who we become.

Written and performed by: Deb Filler
Directed by: Mitchell Cushman

Reviews:
“Gusto, charm and chutzpah! To miss her would be madness!” — New Zealand Herald
“A hilarious musical quest!” — British Theatre Guide