If you’re anywhere near San Francisco, you must take it upon yourself to see “Love, Janis” at the Marines Memorial Theater. This is not a simple musical. It’s a Janis Joplin concert, wrapped around letters she wrote home and interviews she gave during her brief time with us. Essentially, this is Janis in her own words. (And much of the play is based on Love, Janis, written by her sister, Laura Joplin.)
Two actresses play Janis: A speaking Janis, and a singing Janis. At times, they even appear onstage together. The setup works perfectly. The “speaking” Janis is played by Morgan Hallett. The “singing” Janis is played (on alternate nights, due to the vocal demands) by Katrina Chester and Cathy Richardson. We went on the night that Richardson took the stage as the singing Janis.
Hallett speaks to the audience as the Janis writing back home, still the awkward Texan who appears somewhat embarrassed and humbled as she conveys her success to her family. Richardson commands the stage as Janis at the mike. And really, how can any show go wrong that opens with “Piece of My Heart”?
Hallett is charming, and Richardson is just dynamite. My only regret is we probably won’t make it back up to the city in time to see Katrina Chester (the other singing Janis) before this show ends it’s run. “Love, Janis” plays through Labor Day weekend. Here’s a list of the dates and times.
And if you’re curious, Cathy Richardson’s Myspace page has a few songs from her latest CD, “Delusions of Grandeur”. (When she’s not onstage as Janis Joplin, she’s a songwriter in her own right and fronts the Cathy Richardson Band.)