BroadwayHD has announced plans to film the popular bio-musical A Night With Janis Joplin, featuring the production’s original, Tony Award-nominated star, Mary Bridget Davies.
The musical about the life and musical legacy of the legendary '60s rock and blues singer played a brief Broadway run during the 2013-2014 season, garnering Davies a Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award nomination for her remarkable vocal performance as Joplin.
BroadwayHD's multi-camera live-capture will take place October 4 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, where the production is currently on tour.
A Night With Janis Joplin will be released on the theatrical streaming platform in January 2019.
The BroadwayHD production is produced by Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, and directed by David Horn, executive producer of PBS’ Great Performances for WNET.
Davies received unanimous praise from New York critics for her uncanny embodiment of the Queen of Rock, performing such classics as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby,” and “Summertime” in the production that she continues to tour to acclaim across the U.S.
Davies is joined onstage by Aurianna Angelique, Ashley Támar Davis, Tawny Dolley, Paige McNamara, and Jennifer Leigh Warren.
Commissioned by the Joplin estate and conceived, written and directed by Randy Johnson, the musical also focuses on Joplin's inspirations, including such iconic female singers as Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Etta James, and more. The production has choreography by Patricia Wilcox, and musical direction by Brent Crayon.
"Michael Joplin and I have loved watching A Night With Janis Joplin from its first mounting, on to Broadway, and now the current production,” said Janice’s sister, Laura Joplin in a statement. “We are so lucky to re-experience the excitement of Janis's performing all over again! We are particularly pleased that we'll now have a filmed version, allowing others to enjoy our sister along with us."
A Night With Janis Joplin premiered regionally in 2011, playing engagements at Portland Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater before arriving on Broadway in the fall of 2013. Davis earned the Best Actress Award from the Cleveland Critics Circle and a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical during the show's out-of-town engagements.
BroadwayHD co-founder Stewart F. Lane added, “A Night With Janis Joplin is the kind of production that is perfect for the live stage so it’s important that any filming captures the electricity and life of the show. We’re in a unique position to be able to translate that authenticity to viewers on any platform.”
“Janis is a true icon and her influence on music can still be felt today,” said Bonnie Comley co-founder BroadwayHD. “We are absolutely thrilled to bring this production to life and share it with her legions of fans and those new audiences that will discover her for the first time.”
