"A Night with Janis Joplin" celebrates the singer's journey to music immortality
By Robb Helfrick
Janis Joplin burst onto the rock ‘ n ‘ roll stage in the late 1960s, and then was suddenly gone at age 27. Known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and passionate stage presence, Joplin became a symbol of the Woodstock musical era. Rolling Stone Magazine later named her one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Joplin was enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, becoming the first female solo artist inducted in her first year of eligibility.
“A Night with Janis Joplin” is an autobiographical show that first appeared on Broadway in 2013. Since then, it has been performed across the country, and also in Tokyo and London. The Totem Pole Playhouse was proud to bring this electrifying story to local audiences for the first time. The performances run from May 29 through June 13.
The show follows Joplin’s journey from Port Arthur, Texas, to California and then international stardom. The musical celebrates Joplin’s legacy, and the female soul and blues heroines who influenced her sound. As Franklin County and tri-state audiences have come to expect, the Totem Pole team of actors, producers, musicians, and set/lighting/costume designers brings home a first-class performance.
Francesca Ferrari plays Janis, and after polishing her skills with portrayals of Joplin in multiple states, the New York-based artist delivers a powerful performance. Not only does Ferrari capture the vocal range of Joplin’s belt-it-out style, but she also expertly mimics the legendary singer’s leg-kicking, hair-tossing energy onstage.
Ferrari’s superior acting is bolstered by a quartet of talented singers. Gabbi Mack, Jannie Jones, Tanea Renee, and Crystal Sha’Nae portray blues and soul legends Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith, and Etta James. Their performances could carry a separate musical, as they easily share the spotlight with Janis and deliver superb vocals as both individuals and as a group. Their constant costume changes coincide with Joplin’s musical memories that eventually inspired her to become a star.
The first act of a Night with Janis Joplin spotlights Joplin’s upbringing as she shares vignettes between songs about her mother’s musical influence, and how she taught a “white chick to sing the blues.” Janis treats the audience as a confidante, sharing an inner dialogue of doubts, life philosophies, and vulnerabilities. Restless and always absorbing music from her heroes, Joplin skips out on college and winds up in San Francisco with an obscure rock band called Big Brother and the Holding Company.
After two albums with that group, Joplin became a solo artist. Hits such as “Cry Baby,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” and “Mercedes Benz” followed. Joplin performed at the iconic Woodstock Festival in 1969.
The Totem Pole show’s second act concentrates on Joplin’s solo success and hints at her demons with drugs and alcohol. She occasionally picks up a liquor bottle and takes a swig. However, as the show reaches its climax with the final song of “Mercedes Benz,” Joplin fades into music history without any mention of her tragic death from a heroin overdose.
This storytelling device seems fitting, as this show is designed as a celebration of Joplin’s energy, passion, and musical influences. Combining top-notch musicians, singers, authentic costumes, brilliant set design, and Ryan Gibbs’ leadership as Director, this ensemble shines, showcasing first-rate stagecraft with perfect cohesion.
A Night with Janis Joplin concludes on a wave of optimism, suggesting that the 1960s became an unforgettable musical period partly because she graced the stage. Despite Joplin’s voice being silenced at 27 (her song Me and Bobby McGee reached number 1, six months after she died), she had already created a significant chapter in music history. That legacy is still celebrated and cherished 56 years later.
