A Night With Janis Joplin
Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock & roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Featuring unforgettable songs like “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby” and “Summertime,” starring the show’s original Broadway star, Mary Bridget Davies. A musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences—icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, who inspired one of rock & roll’s greatest legends. Filmed live at the La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles in 2018.
Where to watch
A Night With Janis Joplin is currently available to stream on demand via BroadwayHD.
theatrical history
A Night With Janis Joplin was developed in partnership with Janis Joplin Estate, Jeff Jampol of Jampol Artist Management, and Portland Center Stage.
Under the title One Night With Janis Joplin, the musical received its world premier at Portland Center Stage, where it opened on May 24, 2011. Written and directed by Randy Johnson, the cast included Cat Stephani (Janis Joplin), Sabrina Elayne Carten (The Blues Singer), Nicole Winter (Background Vocalist / Janis Understudy), Marisha Wallace (Background Vocalist / Blues Singer Understudy), and Moriah Angeline.
Writing for On Portland, reviewer Geoff K praised the “absolutely superb” eight-piece blues band, but felt the script was lacking, and that Cat Stephani was miscast in the lead role.
Following 22 previews, A Night With Janis Joplin opened at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway on October 10, 2013 starring Mary Bridget Davies (Janis Joplin), Kacee Clanton (Janis Joplin alternate), Taprena Michelle Augustine (Joplinaire, Chantel, Bessie Smith, Blues Singer), de’Adre Aziza (Joplinaire, Chantel, Nina Simone, Odetta), Allison Blackwell (Joplinaire, Blues Woman, Aretha Franklin) and Nikki Kimbrough (Joplinaire, Etta James, Chantel).
The musical received mixed reviews. While critics bemoaned the lackluster and sanitized book, they praised Mary Bridget Davies’ portrayal of Janis Joplin. New York Times theatre critic Charles Isherwood felt the show was disconnected in some of its story-telling, however he praised Mary Bridget Davies’ ability to “match Joplin’s highly emotive style,” and noted she “captured the Joplin sound perfectly.” Writing for the NY Post, Elisabeth Vincentelli described the musical as “a power-piped but sanitized Joplin… who’d be perfectly at home on a cruise ship.”
A Night With Janis Joplin closed on Broadway on February 9, 2014 after 140 performances.
The musical was scheduled to play off-Broadway at the Gramercy Theatre in April 2014, however the run was canceled two-days before the opening night due to poor ticket sales.
Between 2016 and 2019, A Night With Janis Joplin played 3 national tours.
Under the title One Night With Janis Joplin, the musical received its world premier at Portland Center Stage, where it opened on May 24, 2011. Written and directed by Randy Johnson, the cast included Cat Stephani (Janis Joplin), Sabrina Elayne Carten (The Blues Singer), Nicole Winter (Background Vocalist / Janis Understudy), Marisha Wallace (Background Vocalist / Blues Singer Understudy), and Moriah Angeline.
Writing for On Portland, reviewer Geoff K praised the “absolutely superb” eight-piece blues band, but felt the script was lacking, and that Cat Stephani was miscast in the lead role.
Following 22 previews, A Night With Janis Joplin opened at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway on October 10, 2013 starring Mary Bridget Davies (Janis Joplin), Kacee Clanton (Janis Joplin alternate), Taprena Michelle Augustine (Joplinaire, Chantel, Bessie Smith, Blues Singer), de’Adre Aziza (Joplinaire, Chantel, Nina Simone, Odetta), Allison Blackwell (Joplinaire, Blues Woman, Aretha Franklin) and Nikki Kimbrough (Joplinaire, Etta James, Chantel).
The musical received mixed reviews. While critics bemoaned the lackluster and sanitized book, they praised Mary Bridget Davies’ portrayal of Janis Joplin. New York Times theatre critic Charles Isherwood felt the show was disconnected in some of its story-telling, however he praised Mary Bridget Davies’ ability to “match Joplin’s highly emotive style,” and noted she “captured the Joplin sound perfectly.” Writing for the NY Post, Elisabeth Vincentelli described the musical as “a power-piped but sanitized Joplin… who’d be perfectly at home on a cruise ship.”
A Night With Janis Joplin closed on Broadway on February 9, 2014 after 140 performances.
The musical was scheduled to play off-Broadway at the Gramercy Theatre in April 2014, however the run was canceled two-days before the opening night due to poor ticket sales.
Between 2016 and 2019, A Night With Janis Joplin played 3 national tours.
Film history
A Night With Janis Joplin ran at the La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles from September 14 - October 7, 2018.
StageSceneLA reviewer Steven Stanley noted “Not that Janis gets into anything too personal in the two-hour stroll down memory lane…Above all [the musical]… is about music, music, and more music.” His review extolled the design and execution of the show, and gave high praise to lead Mary Bridget Davies, stating she gave a “charismatically pitch-perfect performance.”
The musical was filmed live by BroadwayHD at the La Mirada theatre on October 4, 2018.
Producer and co-theatre owner Cathy Rigby had previously starred in the beloved long-running production of Peter Pan, which was also filmed live at the La Mirada Theatre.
StageSceneLA reviewer Steven Stanley noted “Not that Janis gets into anything too personal in the two-hour stroll down memory lane…Above all [the musical]… is about music, music, and more music.” His review extolled the design and execution of the show, and gave high praise to lead Mary Bridget Davies, stating she gave a “charismatically pitch-perfect performance.”
The musical was filmed live by BroadwayHD at the La Mirada theatre on October 4, 2018.
Producer and co-theatre owner Cathy Rigby had previously starred in the beloved long-running production of Peter Pan, which was also filmed live at the La Mirada Theatre.
cast & creative credits
Theatre: La Mirada Theatre, Los Angeles
Producer: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, T&D Productions LLC, BroadwayHD
Book: Randy Johnson
Featuring Songs by: Sam Andrew, Clarence George Carter, Marcus Lewis Daniel, Wilbur Terrell, Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman, Richard Barrett, George Gerswhin, Janis Joplin, Bert Berns, Curtis Reginald Lewis, James Cox, Aretha Franklin, Chip Taylor, Richard Rodgers, Gabriel Mekler, Bob Dylan, Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson, Jenny Dean, Willie Mae Thornton, George David Weidd, Michael McClure, and Robert Newirth
Featuring Songs with Lyrics by: Sam Andrew, Clarence George Carter, Marcus Lewis Daniel, Wilbur Terrell, Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman, Richard Barrett, DuBose Heyward, Ira Gershwin, Janis Joplin, Bert Berns, Curtis Reginald Lewis, James Cox, Aretha Franklin, Chip Taylor, Lorenz Hart, Gabriel Mekler, Bob Dylan, Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson, Jenny Dean, Willie Mae Thornton, George David Weiss, Michael McClure and Robert Neuwirth
Director: Randy Johnson, Film Director: David Horn
Musical Director: Brent Crayon
Choreography: Patricia Wilcox
Scenic Design: Brian Prather
Costume Design: Amy Clark
Lighting Design: Ryan O’Gara
Sound Design: Rafe Carlotto
Projection Design: Darrel Maloney
Wig and Make-Up Design: Leah J. Loukas
Stage Manager: Heathyr (Red) Verhoff
Cast:
Mary Bridget Davies (Janis Joplin)
Aurianna Angelique (Odetta / Bessie Smith / Chantel)
Ashley Támar Davis (Blues Woman / Aretha Franklin / Nina Simone / Chantel)
Tawny Dolley (Etta James / Chantel)
Jennifer Leigh Warren (Blues Singer / Chantel)
Paige McNamara (Understudy)
The Band
Brent Crayon
Chase Fleming
Sean Fran
Aaron Smith
Michael Abraham
Alex Prezzano
Blake Estrada
PJ Holaday
Producer: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, T&D Productions LLC, BroadwayHD
Book: Randy Johnson
Featuring Songs by: Sam Andrew, Clarence George Carter, Marcus Lewis Daniel, Wilbur Terrell, Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman, Richard Barrett, George Gerswhin, Janis Joplin, Bert Berns, Curtis Reginald Lewis, James Cox, Aretha Franklin, Chip Taylor, Richard Rodgers, Gabriel Mekler, Bob Dylan, Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson, Jenny Dean, Willie Mae Thornton, George David Weidd, Michael McClure, and Robert Newirth
Featuring Songs with Lyrics by: Sam Andrew, Clarence George Carter, Marcus Lewis Daniel, Wilbur Terrell, Jerry Ragovoy, Mort Shuman, Richard Barrett, DuBose Heyward, Ira Gershwin, Janis Joplin, Bert Berns, Curtis Reginald Lewis, James Cox, Aretha Franklin, Chip Taylor, Lorenz Hart, Gabriel Mekler, Bob Dylan, Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson, Jenny Dean, Willie Mae Thornton, George David Weiss, Michael McClure and Robert Neuwirth
Director: Randy Johnson, Film Director: David Horn
Musical Director: Brent Crayon
Choreography: Patricia Wilcox
Scenic Design: Brian Prather
Costume Design: Amy Clark
Lighting Design: Ryan O’Gara
Sound Design: Rafe Carlotto
Projection Design: Darrel Maloney
Wig and Make-Up Design: Leah J. Loukas
Stage Manager: Heathyr (Red) Verhoff
Cast:
Mary Bridget Davies (Janis Joplin)
Aurianna Angelique (Odetta / Bessie Smith / Chantel)
Ashley Támar Davis (Blues Woman / Aretha Franklin / Nina Simone / Chantel)
Tawny Dolley (Etta James / Chantel)
Jennifer Leigh Warren (Blues Singer / Chantel)
Paige McNamara (Understudy)
The Band
Brent Crayon
Chase Fleming
Sean Fran
Aaron Smith
Michael Abraham
Alex Prezzano
Blake Estrada
PJ Holaday
awards & nominations
Theatre World Awards
Tony Awards
- Mary Bridget Davies - Winner
Tony Awards
- Best Actress in a Musical (Mary Bridget Davies) - Nominee
research sources
Articles
Websites
- Kelsey Denette, “One Night with Janis Joplin Premiers at Portland Center Stage 5/24,” BroadwayWorld: Portland (May 11, 2011)
- Patrick Healy, “It Took a Little Piece of Their Hearts,” NY Times (April 25, 2014)
- Adam Hetrick, “BroadwayHD to Film A Night With Janis Joplin, Starring Tony Award Nominee Mary Bridget Davies,” Playbill (Oct 4, 2018)
- Charles Isherwood, “A Night With Janis Joplin,” NY Times (Oct 10, 2013)
- Geoff K, “One Night With Janis Joplin Review,” On Portland (May 28, 2011)
- Kate Milligan, “A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN to Launch on BroadwayHD,” BroadwayWorld (Jan 18, 2019)
- Steven Stanley, “A Night With Janis Joplin,” StageSceneLA (Sept 15, 2018)
- Elisabeth Vincentelli, “‘Janis Joplin’ doesn’t scream Broadway,” NY Post (Oct 11, 2013)
Websites
- IBDB, “A Night with Janis Joplin,” Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/tour-production/a-night-with-janis-joplin-516917#People
- La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, “A Night with Janis Joplin,” Accessed via: https://cart.lamiradatheatre.com/521/534
- Playbill, “A Night with Janis Joplin,” Accessed via: https://www.playbill.com/production/a-night-with-janis-joplin-lyceum-theatre-vault-0000014030
- Portland Center Stage, “One Night with Janis Joplin,” Accessed via: https://www.pcs.org/archive/janis
- Portland Center Stage, “PCS Blog: One Night with Janis Joplin: Cast and Creative Team,” Accessed via: https://web.archive.org/web/20110506141942/http://www.pcs.org/blog/item/one-night-with-janis-joplin-cast-and-creative-team/
Written by Luisa Lyons (September 2023)