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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"><span style="color:rgb(204,0,0)"><br></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none">
<b><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"><span style="color:rgb(204,0,0)"><br></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"><span style="color:rgb(204,0,0)"></span><br>
</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Janis Joplin and the black blues divas are alive
and well at CPH</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Roy Berko</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:14.0pt;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Palatino;color:black">(Member, American
Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">There is a love-in going on at the Cleveland
Play Houses Allen Theatre between Janis Joplin and the audience.<span style> </span>Janis Joplin?<span style> </span>Shes dead.<span style> </span>She
died in 1970 at the age of 27.<span style>
</span>Youd never know it from the happenings on the CPH stage.<span style> </span>Mary Bridget Davies, who took over the
role opening night, doesnt imitate Janis, she is Janis!<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black">Davies stepped in when Cat Stephani withdrew
from the role for personal reasons.<span style>
</span>Davies, who was the understudy, captivated the audience.<span style> </span>Dont know what Stephani can do, but
Davies, as one Joplins songs states, got a Piece of My Heart.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Joplin is remembered for her mass of
flying hair, which she regularly ran her hands through, her unconventional
appearance and off the wall clothing choices.<span style> </span>Her 1960s beatnik lifestyle, and amazing voice, led to her
being called, The Queen of Rock and Roll and The Queen of Psychedelic Soul.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Her rise to prominence came as the
lead singer with the acid rock band, Big Brother and the Holding Company.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, which was created,
written and directed by Randy Johnson, with the full support of the estate of
Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol for JAM, and the Joplin family, is a tribute to
the great lady of rock and the blues.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Davies, or is it Janis (?), stands center stage
and talks to the audience.<span style> </span>She ad
libs to fit the reactions of the enamored, many of whom were dressed in tie-dye
shirts, head bands, and long haired wigs.<span style>
</span>The audience responded with peace signs, singing the words to the great
ones songs and imitating the performers gestures.<span style> </span>Obviously they saw the other Janis in her other life. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Songs included:<span style> </span><i style>My Baby</i>, <i style>Maybe</i>, <i style>Down on Me</i>, <i style>Piece of My Heart</i>,
<i style>Today I Sing the Blues</i>, <i style>Try</i>, <i style>Kozmic
Blues</i>, <i style>I Shall be Released</i>, <i style>Mercedes Benz</i>, and the finale, <i style>Im Gonna Rock My Way to Heaven</i>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">At various times during the performance the
audience was clapping, singing and stomping.<span style> </span>Yes, Cleveland is noted for freely give standing ovations,
but has there ever been a play where there were seven standing Os during the
performance and jumping, screaming and flower-throwing for the curtain calls?<span style> </span>Remember, this was a play, not a rock
concert.<span style> </span>Well, maybe a combination
play and rock concert.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Not only does Davies wail, but there are the
amazing vocal performances by Sabrina Elayne Carten, who sings the roles of the
black blues divas who influenced Joplin.<span style>
</span>Carten sings the likes of Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith, and Nina
Simone.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">The staging is as amazing as Davies and
Carten.<span style> </span>Scenic and lighting
designer Justin Townsend, sound designer, Carl Casella and projection and video
designer, Darrel Maloney, let out all the stops.<span style> </span>The stage is ablaze with psychedelic colors and lights,
Janiss paintings are flashed on electronic panels at the rear of the stage,
the lights pulse to the beats of the music, smoky effects steam forth to add a
surreal feel to the goings on.<span style>
</span>These production qualities could not have been possible in the old CPH
venue.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">Stephen Flakus and the band, which is ever
present on stage, are rock concert perfect. <span style> </span>The eight-instrument group is well-integrated into every
aspect of the show.<span style> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><i style><span style="font-family:Palatino">CAPSULE
JUDGMENT:<span style> </span></span></i><i style><span style="font-family:Palatino">ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS
JOPLIN is musical play, rock concert and love-in, all mashed into one!<span style> </span>Doesnt matter if you are a
blues, rock and roll, or Joplin fan or not, there is no way you arent going to
leave this performance on an emotional high!<span style> </span>Bravo.<span style> </span>Yes, Bravo,
bravo, bravo!</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">BTW---the show would have been better served by
a more upbeat opening announcement.<span style>
</span>The staid turn off the cell phones mantra needed a rock exciting sound
to get the assemblage in the mood!<span style>
</span>Come on CPH, get with it!</span><span style="font-family:Palatino"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino">ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN runs through August 19 in CPHs
Allen Theatre.<span style> </span>For tickets call
216-241-6000 or go to <a href="http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com">www.clevelandplayhouse.com</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><br><span style="font-family:Palatino"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color:rgb(204,0,0)">
<span style="font-family:Palatino"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><br><span style="font-family:Palatino"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Palatino"><br></span></p>