A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN written and directed by Randy Johnson (Mirvish). At the Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge). Runs to February 21. $35-$99. See listings. mirvish.com. Rating: NNN
Good thing Mary Bridget Davies can do such a dead-on impression of blues-rock singer-songwriter Janis Joplin. Head to the Panasonic and youll swear shes been reincarnated, with 2014 Tony-nominated Davies and her kick-ass band doing blistering renditions of Joplins hits.
Four other women occasionally hit the stage to evoke Joplins musical inspirations Bessie Smith, Odetta, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, for example delivering renditions of songs Joplin eventually made her own. Theyre excellent, especially Q. Smith as Aretha and Cicily Daniels as Bessie Smith. But thats about all youll get and, as effective as they are, they pale against Daviess incendiary Joplin.
But and heres the thing Joplins artistic inspirations are among the least interesting aspects of the supernovas life.
Theres not a word here about her controversial dumping of Big Brother and the Holding Company or any other band decisions. Even more irritatingly, writer/director Randy Johnsons banal between-song patter gives the impression that Joplin was a die-hard heterosexual. And get this, except for Davies taking a few sips of Southern Comfort, theres not a single reference to her struggles with drugs which, by the way, wound up killing her at 27.
This is a faux concert, not a one-woman show. A Joplin solo show would have required acting chops, and theres no sign here that Davies has any except when she steps up to the mic to sing. And then, shes a stunner.
See the show for Daviess uncanny impression and to hear those amazing songs recreated. If you want to know more about the singer her professional challenges, her lesbian life, her drug addictions, as well as her artistic aspirations see Amy Bergs excellent documentary Janis: Little Girl Blue, now playing at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.
