Reviews: Love, Janis, Zach Scott Theatre, May 28 - July 12

UPDATE: Hannah Kenah's review for the Austin Chronicle, July 9

UPDATE: KUT's John Aielli and the Janis crew on "Aielli Unleashed," posted June 22


Review by Clare Croft for Austin Statesman's Austin360 "Seeing Things" blog, published June 11

Love, Janis
Zach Scott Theatre
May 28 - July 12

Directed and adapted by Tony Award-nominated playwright Randal Myler, Love, Janis combines Janis' own words -- taken from real-life interviews and heartfelt letters home to her family in Port Arthur, Texas -- with her brilliant breed of rock-n-soul music that revolutionized 1960's America.

Watch stars Andra Mitrovich and Mary Bridget Davies rock out ZACH's intimate Kleberg stage with spot-on performances of "Piece of My Heart," "Try," "Me and Bobby McGee," "Mercedes Benz" and other classics in this inspiring, feel-good play. Love, Janis traces the life of a legendary artist who refused to compromise her love -- for music, life and equality -- during her voyage from Texas to the world stage. Step into the Summer of Love: Love, Janis is Janis Joplin like you've never seen her before!

Photo Gallery: New Images from ZACH's Love, Janis Production
Video: Andra Mitrovich sings Janis Joplin

About Randal Myler

Randal Myler conceived and adapted Love, Janis from the biography by Janis Joplin’s sister Laura that features letters Janis wrote home to Port Arthur, Texas. Mr. Myler received two Tony Award nominations and a Drama Desk nomination for the musical It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues, and a nomination for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Direction for Hank Williams: Lost Highway. He is a 17-season veteran of the renowned Denver Center Theatre Company.

Audio Programs: Off Stage and On The Air, Lisa Schepp, KOOP-FM

Lisa Schepp is now producing a weekly program on Austin musical theatre, Mondays at 1 p.m., interviewing a production member and spinning musical numbers from the recorded canon. All programs broadcast by KOOP FM (91.7) are available as podcasts or streaming video via her blog:

Latest, on June 8: Nunsense (opening June 11 at the City Theatre)

Click to link to earlier programs produced to date:

Love, Janis -- June 1 (playing at the Zach Scott Theatre)

The Jigglewatts -- May 25

The Fantasticks -- May 17 with Don Toner (playing until June 28 at Austin Playhouse)

Musical Theatre in Austin - May 10 with Latifah Taormina of Austin Circle of Theatres and Stuart Moulton of Austin Cabaret Theatre

Golf, the Musical - May 3 with Director and Cast Member Joel Blum and Texarts co-founder and executive producer, Todd Dellinger

Pilot program - April 29 with Stuart Moulton of Austin Cabaret Theatre