by Cari Lynn Pace

The sleepy little wine tasting hamlet of Sonoma has a real rockin’ blues concert with Sonoma Arts Live’s latest production.

A Night with Janis Joplin, originally produced on Broadway in 2013, is a stage full of classic blues re-enacted by powerhouse singers. They’re backed up with a 7-piece band raising the roof of Andrews Hall. You know the decibels will be deafening when the theatre has a box of ear plugs available at the door.

Make no mistake, this musical has a broader appeal than Janis Joplin’s music.

Director Carl Jordan begins with the start of her career, as chronicled by Randy Johnson. Before stardom destroyed her at age 27, the blues inspired her. Aided by projections, Libby Oberlin is astonishing as she channels Janis from her humble beginnings in Texas. She swills her bottle of Southern Comfort and intersperses her rapid-fire monologue with solos of powerhouse blues singers.

The four “Joplinaires” of A Night with Janis Joplin amaze with multiple roles of these now-gone divas. Jeffrie Givens lends her silken tones wooing us as Etta James. Choregrapher Skylaer Palacios appears as Bessie Smith, singing a heartfelt “Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out.” Aretha Franklin would be pleased to hear her songs belted out by Safira McGrew, whose earthy vocals came zinging though her Covid mask. The red gowns worn by her and her backup trio were designed by Kate Leland, with wigs by Roxie Johnson. Aja Gianola, doubling up as musical Director, commands our attention onstage as the breathtaking Nina Simone.

Odetta (performer not credited in the playbill) gives a sweet and soulful version of “Down on Me” but Janis gives it her signature rough and raucous rock version when she takes the stage in Austin, Texas. Events turn legendary when Janis hits San Francisco’s hippie scene. She rocks out and mesmerizes the audience with the raw energy of “Piece of My Heart.” Oberlin’s Janis  moves onstage with the energy of a gymnast and more hair-tossing than Ariana Grande. It’s simply exhausting!

The onstage band is a standout in this production. A trio comes forward to tempt us with a New Orleans brass band blast. Wanna rock out a little? Catch the riffs of guitarist Jonathan Bretan. You won’t be disappointed.

A Night with Janis Joplin is wild ride with the short life of a gal on the edge. Her closing song “Stay with Me Baby” is as painful as an open wound. Janis truly sang the blues.

Playing now through September 21 on the Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma.

Information and tickets at www.sonomaartslive.org

Photos by Miller Oberlin

Cari Lynn Pace is a long-time Bay Area theatre critic whose reviews were regularly featured in the Marinscope Community Newspapers.