About This Show

written and directed by Randy Johnson

With a voice like whiskey and a laugh like pure joy, Janis Joplin took the music scene by storm. Simultaneously rough and vulnerable, Joplin was dubbed the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, proving music wasn’t just a man’s world anymore. Packed with classic songs (“Piece of My Heart, “Summertime,” “Mercedes Benz”), the show also shines the spotlight on trailblazers who influenced Janis – like Bessie Smith, Etta James and Aretha Franklin. Now, in a new musical event featuring more than a dozen singers and band members, playwright-director Randy Johnson creates “a compelling portrait of an artist” (Culturemob) through the words, inspiration and music of one of America’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll originals.

Show Details

Dates: First Preview: September 28, 2012 Opening Night: October 4, 2012 Final Performance: November 4, 2012

Theatermania Review

| | October 5, 2012
Mary Bridget Davies gives a thrilling, dead-on interpretation of Janis Joplin in Arena Stage’s crowdpleasing new musical.

You Might Also Like

Ain’t Too Proud

Performances begin: June 17, 2025

A Beautiful Noise

Performances begin: December 3, 2024

Kimberly Akimbo

Performances begin: May 20, 2025

Shucked

Performances begin: February 25, 2025

Six

Performances begin: November 12, 2024

Bye Bye Birdie

Performances begin: June 7, 2024