'Love, Janis' to Partner with MuST for Special Benefit

Music in Schools Today (MuST), an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting music education in the Bay Area, and the San Francisco production of Love, Janis, a musical about the legendary blues rocker Janis Joplin, announced a special partnership today: for each ticket purchased for performances from July 7 through 16, the producers of the show will donate $5 to MuST.

"It seems especially appropriate that a portion of the proceeds of a musical about Janis Joplin, who found solace in music during her school days, go to MuST, since we work with at-risk youth who learn through music making to do better in school and in life," said Meg Madden, Executive Director of MuST. "Imagine the talent the world would never have experienced if Janis hadn't found music at a young age."

To take advantage of the offer, supporters of Music in Schools Today can call the Marines Memorial Theatre box office at 415-771-6900 or visit www.ticketmaster.com and mention the special code: MUST.

MuST's mission is to support and promote music education in schools and in the community. MuST especially serves at-risk youth, helping them to explore music, discover their own talents and learn life skills. MuST raises public awareness of the critical need for music and arts education through nationally disseminated public service announcements. MuST is a research-based organization dedicated to ensuring that all children receive a comprehensive, sequential music education.

"Love, Janis paints a stunning portrait of Janis Joplin—both of the singular performer who defied traditional musical definitions and the sensitive, intelligent person remembered by family and friends—from her meteoric rise to fame in the '60s to her tragic death in 1970," according to press notes. "Janis' journey is told in her own words; the entire spoken text comes directly from Janis' actual letters and her many print, radio and television interviews." The musical also features smash hit classics, including "Piece of My Heart," "Get It While You Can," "Me and Bobby McGee," "Ball and Chain" and "Mercedes Benz." Music direction is provided by Sam Andrew, founding member of Big Brother and the Holding company, Joplin's band.

Love, Janis will play San Francisco's Marines Memorial Theatre (609 Sutter Street, 2nd floor) Friday, July 7 through Sunday, September 3, 2006. Opening night is Sunday, July 16 at 7:00PM.

Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 5:00 & 9:00PM, and Sunday at 3:00 & 7:00PM. (There will be no 3:00 PM performance on July 9 or 16.) Tickets range in price from $35-$67 for regular performances. Reduced-price previews (July 7-15) are $30 for all seats.

Tickets are on sale at the Marines Memorial Theatre box office, by phone at 415-771-6900, and on the web at ticketmaster.com. For more information visit www.marinesmemorialtheatre.com.