A music-filled biography of the life and musical influences of Janis Joplin that sets the house on fire.
A rock music biography that sets the house on fire
While the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead get much of music history’s credit, A Night with Janis Joplin reminds us that one of rock music’s biggest pioneers was female, with a musical dedication to Janis Joplin and the soul, blues and jazz singers that influenced her.
Rising to fame with her uniquely husky sound and radiant stage presence, Joplin is well-deserving of a musical with her name on it. Played by the technically perfect Mary Bridget Davies, Joplin performs belter after belter with the backing of her band and the crooning ‘Joplinaires’ before talking through a few of the most seminal moments of her life and career.
Though the production only briefly touches on Joplin’s story, prioritising back-to-back records over a narrative arc, A Night with Janis Joplin does well in recognising the influence of black musicians on Joplin’s sound, with insight into the inspiration behind many of her popular records.
Heavily influenced by soul, jazz and blues artists of the time, the rock star proudly shares the stage with the soulful and well-choreographed ‘Joplinaires’ – who transform to portray talented stars such as Betty Davis and Nina Simone. Aretha Franklin too makes a memorable appearance, played by a gifted Kalisha Amaris, who hypes the audience with an uncanny sound and some serious wig-shaking.
Given authenticity by the ageing hippies in the audience and the Joplin family watching from the wings, A Night with Janis Joplin is a true dedication to the singer’s memory, now seeing its UK debut after a run on Broadway.
Fans of the 60s and the rock n roll era will want tickets to this one. Set in the unassuming Peacock Theatre on King’s College campus, this production feels like a grassroots gem, and though Davies could be accused of overdoing it with Joplin’s infamous wail, the energy of the production more than makes up for the odd garbled lyric.
A Night with Janis Joplin does the unexpected, turning a restrained theatre audience into a booty-shaking collective, dancing in the aisles to the spirit of Etta and Aretha as much as the rock icon herself.
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Michael Cohl, Tony Smith, the estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol for Jam, Inc. are delighted to announce A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN which makes its UK premiere at the Peacock Theatre, Sadlers Wells’ home in the West End, on 20 August starring Mary Bridget Davies as Janis, running until 28 September 2024. Tickets will go on sale on 26 January. Further casting is to be announced.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is a musical journey celebrating Janis Joplin and her biggest musical influences – trailblazers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, all of whom inspired Joplin to become one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest legends. Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Her unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made Joplin a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Audiences will enjoy Joplin’s favourites, including Piece of My Heart, Cry Baby, Me and Bobby McGee and many others.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN began in 2011 and was an immediate success, touring for the next 2 years and breaking box office records at nearly every theatre. In October 2013, the show opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre to rave reviews and has been touring the US ever since. The show also played in Japan in 2022 at the Tokyo International Forum Hall. Mary Bridget Davies played the role of Janis Joplin for both the touring and Broadway productions, receiving a Tony Award® nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance.
Janis Joplin’s sister, Laura Joplin, says A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is a “full belted memory that drives joy into my heart and tears from my eyes” with The New York Times saying the show “rocks the house with a fervour that is riveting”.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN has a Book and direction by Randy Johnson, choreography by Patricia Wilcox (A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN – Broadway, Motown – Broadway, West End). Casting is by Anne Vosser.
Randy Johnson (creator, writer and director) made his Broadway debut as a playwright and director with Tony Award nominated musical A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN at the Lyceum Theatre. At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre, Randy directed and co-wrote The World Premiere of Mike Tyson – The Undisputed Truth, starring international sports legend Mike Tyson and directed and staged Carly Simon's return to the concert stage at The Apollo Theatre in New York. Randy also co- conceived and directed the now historic ELVIS THE CONCERT, which reunited Elvis’ original band, singers and musical director in a virtual interactive concert featuring Elvis. The show was an immediate hit, with sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall and arenas worldwide including Wembley and the O2 Arena. Other regional theatre credits include the world premieres of Jukebox Hero – The Foreigner Musical (Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto). He was honored twice by the NAACP for his direction on Shout Sister Shout – The Rosetta Tharpe Story (Pasadena Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre).
Mary Bridget Davies is a distinguished American singer and actress who has made musical history with her powerhouse vocals and captivating performances. Davies’ accolades include the 2014 LA Outer Critic’s Circle Award and Theatre World Award, alongside a Helen Hayes Award nomination and numerous Blues Blast Award nominations. In 2019, Davies recorded her album Stay With Me: The Reimagined Songs of Jerry Ragovoy, the late legendary songwriter who co-wrote Joplin classics Piece of my Heart’and Cry Baby. Davies’ career has also included touring with Janis Joplin’s original band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, starring as Virginia Wolf in the developmental readings of A Room of One’s Own (54 Below and The Public Theatre’s Joe’s Pub), and Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Beck Theatre). Currently, Davies is set to embark on the soon to be announced U.S. leg of her tour Don't Compromise Yourself.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith and the estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol for Jam, Inc, with UK General Management by MPSI Ltd.
