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CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK OPENS THOMPSON SHELTERHOUSE SEASON WITH ROCK MUSICAL LOVE, JANIS SEPTEMBER 22-NOVEMBER 6 (CINCINNATI) – The 2005-2006 Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Season opens with an electric rock musical about performer Janis Joplin, Love, Janis. Conceived, adapted and directed by Randal Myler and inspired by the book of the same name by Laura Joplin, the show begins public previews on September 22 and continues through November 6. There is the Janis Joplin that most people remember. The female icon of 1960s rock music. The singular performer whose talent and voice defied traditional musical definitions. The troubled woman who died tragically young. But there was also another side to Janis, the one remembered by her family and her friends. This sensitive, intelligent, funny person is at the heart of Love, Janis. Love, Janis features all of the great music that has kept the singer’s legendary status bright, even among generations who never experienced her performances first-hand. “Piece of My Heart,” “Ball and Chain,” “Down on Me,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Mercedes-Benz” are just five of the nearly 20 songs included in the show. But the musical also focuses on the letters that Janis wrote home to her family, letters that demonstrate a down-to-earth girl who missed her family, sought advice, yearned for approval and, most of all, fought to stay authentic and true to herself despite her growing celebrity. The journey is told in Janis’ own words: the entire spoken text comes directly from her actual letters and her many press, radio and television interviews. The title role in Love, Janis is shared between the private Janis who speaks from the letters and the public Janis who performs the songs. Due to the vocal demands of the role, two actresses will alternate performances in the role of the singing Janis. Katrina Chester, the daughter of celebrated session drummer Gary Chester, began fronting bands at the age of 12. She also appeared in the off-Broadway production of the show. Lauren Dragon is a Cincinnati-based blues singer who has performed in numerous local nightclubs. She is making her professional theatre debut in Love, Janis. Morgan Hallett portrays the private Janis and Fred Major is an off-stage interviewer. Love, Janis is directed by Randal Myler, who also helmed the 1999 Playhouse production of Appalachian Strings. Mr. Myler earned a Tony Award nomination for It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues and is the director and co-author of Hank Williams: Lost Highway and Fire on the Mountain. Music direction is provided by Sam Andrew, founding member of Big Brother and the Holding Company, whose pieces — written before, during and after Janis’ tenure with the band — have been used in numerous major motion picture soundtracks and documentaries. During his career as a musician and composer, Mr. Andrew has had three platinum albums and two hit singles. Other members of the production team include Paul Owen (set designer), Lorraine Venberg (costume designer), Don Darnutzer (lighting designer) and Eric Stahlhammer (sound designer). The stage manager is Suann Pollock. The seven-piece band is led by Joel Hoekstra (conductor and lead guitar). It also features Scott Henderson on rhythm guitar, Eric Massimino on bass guitar, Scott Anthony on keyboards, Max Maxwell on drums, William Brian Hogg on saxophone and John Zappa on trumpet. Tickets to Love, Janis are on sale now. Prices range from $45.50-$54.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $38.50 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. Thursday, September 22; 8 p.m. Friday, September 23; 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday, September 24; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, September 25; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 27; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 28. The official opening night is Thursday, September 29 at 8 p.m. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. For tickets to Love, Janis or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. |
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Meet the Artists 2 p.m. Sunday, October 2 Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Sponsors Production Sponsors: Design and Artist Sponsor: Artist Sponsor: Band Sponsor: Fine Arts Fund Partners: The 2005-2006 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor is ### |
