by Harry Duke
Jukebox musicals, with few exceptions, are not known for their intricate plots or dramatic surprises. They exist to provide their audiences with musical comfort food. Case in point, the Sonoma Arts Live production of A Night with Janis Joplin. The show is heading into its closing weekend on the Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center.
Folks expecting to hear much about Joplin’s life will find the show lacking. It offers snippets of her upbringing and family life and references her musical influences and her blossoming as a performer. The drug and alcohol abuse that ultimately killed her is dismissed via a few sentences and an ever present bottle of whiskey on stage. It shouldn’t be surprising given the approval of the Joplin Estate of the development of this show. Joplin’s Wikipedia entry provides more info than this show’s book.
But, oh, the music.
Folks coming to hear the classic Joplin songbook (“Me and Bobby McGee”, “Piece of My Heart”, “Try”) will be more than satisfied with this production. Libby Oberlin is simply terrific in the role of Janis, completely embodying the character in both physical presence and voice. It’s amazing to think her last “solo” performance at SAL was as Vivian Vance.
And because that voice needs significant rest to get through a two-plus hour show, audiences get a bonus with performances by the aforementioned “influences”, including Bessie Smith (Skylaer Palacios), Etta James (Jeffrie Givens), Nina Simone (Aja Gianola), and Aretha Franklin (Safira McGrew). When they’re not performing as these icons with such songs as “Tell Mama”, “Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out”, and “Spirit in the Dark”, they’re backing up Janis as “The Joplinaires”. It’s one hell of an ensemble.
There’s a seven-piece, hard-rocking band occupying most of the small stage – Justin Pyne on keyboards, Jonathan Bretan on lead guitar, Tim Curley on rhythm guitar, Jessy Aguilar on bass, Dave Lindgren on brass, Marie Irvine on trombone, Brendan Buss on reeds, and Allen Daniel Rivera on drums. All are excellent, with Bretan given a few moments to shine with his axe picking skills.
A Night with Janis Joplin really isn’t a jukebox musical. It’s a staged concert and director Carl Jordan stages this one pretty well. Folks usually don’t go to concerts expecting to learn anything about the performer. They just want to be entertained and maybe sing along to some of their favorite tunes.
If you’re a fan of Janis Joplin, her influences, or even just a fan of classic rock, you’ll have a great time.
Note: The role of Janis Joplin will be performed by Michelle Louise at the 09/18 evening and 09/20 matinee performances.
Sonoma Arts Live presents ‘A Night with Janis Joplin’ through September 21 on the Rotary Stage at Andrews Hall in the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Thurs – Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $25 -$42. 707-484-4874. sonomaartslive.org
Photos by Miller Oberlin
This review originally appeared on the website of the North Bay Bohemian.
North Bay Stage and Screen 
Not to be too picky, but if Maria Millard is billed on trombone, then I am supposing that Dave Lindgren was on trumpet, rather than the more generic “brass”. In any case, that is a hot band (I know and have worked with most of the players).
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Other than one name with a spelling error that I caught, all credits are taken directly from the show program. I believe he may play more than one instrument which is why they may have chosen “brass” for his designation.
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