Jasmine Leyva (760) 780-3134, jleyvabhs@gmail.com
September 15, 2013
Fosdick’s MCOM 139, Janis Joplin Review
Word Count:630
Target Publication: Spartan Daily, Access Magazine
Janis Took a Piece of
My Heart
Shivers
race up the spine and out the body from the electrifying voice from a frizzy
haired free spirit, Janis Joplin. Brought to life at the San Jose Repertory
Theater, an audience that could remember buying her albums when they first came
out on vinyl bobbed their silver haired heads as they spent an evening with the
bohemian songstress.
In an intimate setting resembling today’s VH1
Storytellers, Janis, played by Kacee Clanton, bared her soul to the audience
about her beginnings in the music industry and the love she had for the stage.
The Texas native took the audience on her journey traveling from gig to gig
that lead to her to the psychedelic scene in San Francisco during the 1960s.
The stage was set in low lighting
with the spotlight on Janis as she let her blues infused soul sing the hits of
her influences such as Bessie Smith, Nina Simone and Big Mama Thornton, as well as her own. The
cohesive scenic design by Cliff Simon and lighting design by Matthew Webb
embraced Janis Joplin giving her heart and enchanting husky voice to her fans
but then returning to a lonesome life off stage.
In the first act Janis gives the
audience a lesson in the blues and how to find the inner soul. The audience is
given this permission to enter the mind of Janis Joplin and how she came to
interpret the blues while explaining those best through songs such as, My Baby, Turtle Blue, and Piece of My Heart. She sang about a
lonely life that was partially fulfilled by only being on stage. From the first
act encompassing sassy influences that came to inspire the bigger than life
Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll the second act followed with the stages of blues that
Janis journeyed through.
Accompanying the raspy singer was
the musical styling of a band that played with such fervor and energy to make
Janis sway and open her arms to their jammed packed sound. During opening night
Sept. 5, the band was able to make audience members tap their feet and clap
their hands to the beat of the magnetizing guitar solos complementing Janis’
voice.
The music was not the only factor
in the audience’s ride through the love starved Rock ‘n’ Roll singer’s intimate
confessions on her rise to fame. Costume designer of the production, Susan
Branch Towne, made the clothing of the characters to show the care free
attitude of Janis as she was dressed in era appropriate flowing clothes that
modestly shined as not to distract from the vocals. Of course no Janis Joplin
ensemble is not complete without a brightly colored feather boa. The actresses
that played the Joplinaires and the Blues Singers that embodied the major idols
of Janis were dressed in ballgowns subtly showing their impact on Janis as they
sang the songs she would listen to for hours trying mimic their voices. In bell
bottoms, vests and long hair the band was best accessorized with their
instruments.
Some audience members looked as if
they had never seen a year from the psychedelic times, but writer and director,
Randy Johnson has a hit on his hands, bringing free love Rock ‘n’ Roll to
modern San Jose. This is not only a show to commemorate Janis Joplin, but an
experience to explore the mind of an intellectual without having a questions
and answer portion. Janis Joplin may have sung “take another little piece of my
heart,” but after leaving this spectacular show the viewer will have left a
piece for Janis.
A 1960’s concert will be rocking
the San Jose Repertory Theater on until the 29 of September. It is highly
recommended to go in era appropriate clothing for the full experience and dance
ready shoes.
-End-
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