Randy Johnson News

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 'n' roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock.

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 'n' roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. 50 years after the Summer of Love, McCarter audiences will rediscover the sights, sounds, and soul of an unforgettable era with A Night with Janis Joplin, October 10 29 in McCarter's Matthews Theatre.

The Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical 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's greatest legends.

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 'n' roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. 50 years after the Summer of Love, McCarter audiences will rediscover the sights, sounds, and soul of an unforgettable era with A Night with Janis Joplin, October 10 29 in McCarter's Matthews Theatre.

Anyone who has heard Janis Joplin knows her immediately the give-all intensity, the great songs, and that rawly emotive voice. A Night With Janis Joplin presents an imagined concert, held a week before her untimely death, with the legendary performer joined by some of her greatest influences from Aretha Franklin to Nina Simone to Bessie Smith to Odetta. Exhilarating Remarkable A joyful ruckus (Washington Post).

The Boch Center announced today that the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical A Night With Janis Joplin will rock the Boch Center Shubert Theatre stage for three performances January 19-20, 2018. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 10:00AM.

The Kentucky Center presents A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at The Brown Theatre.

Pasadena Playhouse (Producing Artistic Director, Danny Feldman) announced the line-up of performers and tribute speakers for the special event honoring Sheldon Epps, entitled SHELDON AT THE PLAYHOUSE Celebrating 20 Years of Artistic Excellence, hosted by Wayne Brady.

If you're looking to get a definitive Janis Joplin biography/musical (in the vein of the Carole King musical BEAUTIFUL), then you may be disappointed with A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the short-lived 2013 Broadway musical. More akin to a tribute concert rather than actual musical theater, a new regional production of the show continues at the Laguna Playhouse through September 10. But wait… don't dismiss the show quite so fast. Despite a lack of a real narrative, the production boasts some incredible, standing ovation-worthy musical performances, particularly from Kelly McIntyre who plays the title role and her four 'muses' played by the ultra-talented foursome of Sharon Catherine Brown, Tawny Dolley, Carol Hatchett, and Amma Osei. These ladies alone are reason enough to go see this production!

Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce the second show in the Laguna Playhouse 2017-2018 and 97th season with the Tony nominated rock and roll musical, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, in Association with the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol of JAM, Inc., with musical direction by Todd Olson and written and directed by Randy Johnson.

If you were captivated by the film Hidden Figures and its story of the women known as 'human computers' who saved John Glenn's NASA space mission, get ready for Lauren Gunderson's play SILENT SKY, opening this month at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to announce the second show in the Laguna Playhouse 2017-2018 and 97th season with the Tony nominated rock and roll musical, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, in Association with the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol of JAM, Inc., with musical direction by Todd Olson and written and directed by Randy Johnson.

Actress/singer Tracy Nicole Chapman is best known for originating the role of Shenzi in the Broadway production of The Lion King. She also appeared on Broadway in The Who's Tommy, Caroline, or Change and Cy Coleman's The Life. Other theatre credits include the Broadway revivals of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Music Man, and Into the Woods. She also toured with Jelly's Last Jam, Dreamgirls and Once on This Island. She is about to star in a world premiere musical Shout, Sister, Shout! about the life of gospel singer Rosetta Tharpe. Chapman took time out of her busy schedule to chat with us about the musical and playing Rosetta Tharpe.

American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) critically acclaimed production of A Night with Janis Joplin ends its six-week run this Sunday, July 16 following two extensions and resounding critical and audience response. The performance schedule for the final week is as follows: Wednesday, July 12 at 8 p.m.; Thursday, July 13 at 8 p.m.; Friday, July 14 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, July 15 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 16 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Good seats for all remaining performances are available by calling the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or visiting www.act-sf.org.

Due to unprecedented ticket demand and widespread critical acclaim, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has announced the second and final extension of A Night with Janis Joplin at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary St.). Tickets are on sale now through Sunday, July 16, 2017. Receiving the highest rating by the San Francisco Chronicle, A Night with Janis Joplin is a 'transcendent' (San Francisco Chronicle) and 'intoxicating' (SFist.com) 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 and roll's greatest legends. Hailed as 'a psychedelic flashback to the glory days of Haight-Ashbury' (Bay Area News Group), A Night with Janis Joplin features such unforgettable songs as 'Me and Bobby McGee,' 'Piece of My Heart,' 'Mercedes Benz,' 'Cry Baby,' 'Summertime,' and more! Tickets for all performances are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

While not particularly illuminating on the life of the singer, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (now extended to July 9) delivers powerful vocal performances from Kacee Clanton and a strong supporting cast including Sharon Brown.

Pasadena Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! Created and directed by RAndy Johnson, who wrote and directed the hit Broadway musical A Night With Janis Joplin, with book by Cheryl West (Play On!). Click below for a sneak preview at the talented ensemble!

Adirondack Theatre Festival is hosting its PB&J Cafe, a dinner theater for kids, with performances of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Performances are Wednesday, July 5-Thursday, July 20 at 12 p.m. in the cabaret space of the Charles R. Wood Theater.

In response to strong advance ticket sales, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will extend the run of Broadway's critically acclaimed musical A Night with Janis Joplin at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary St.). Tickets are now on sale through Sunday, July 9, 2017. Fueled by such unforgettable songs as 'Me and Bobby McGee,' 'Piece of My Heart,' 'Mercedes Benz,' 'Cry Baby,' and 'Summertime,' A Night with Janis Joplin is 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 and roll's greatest legends. Tickets are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

Pasadena Playhouse (Danny Feldman, Producing Artistic Director and Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director Emeritus) rounds up its 2016-2017 Season with three summer programs including HOLD THESE TRUTHS, a critically acclaimed play about the unsung American hero Gordon Hirabayashi, from May 30 - June 25, 2017; SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! The Gospel of Rock.