A Night with Janis Joplin – in rehearsals

Performances of A Night with Janis Joplin begin this week in the West End, and we got a look inside the rehearsal room.

The show celebrates Joplin and her musical influences. It features her greatest hits – including “Piece of My Heart”, “Cry Baby”, and “Me and Bobby McGee” – and a book by Randy Johnson.

After opening on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre back in 2013, Mary Bridget Davies was nominated for a Tony Award. She reprises the title role in London, with Sharon Sexton covering matinee performances.

Joining them are Kalisha Amaris (Sister Act), Georgia Bradshaw (Sunset Boulevard), Choolwe Laina Muntanga (Cheeky Little Brown) and Danielle Steers (Just For One Day) as “The Joplinaires”. As well as playing Joplin’s backing vocalists, they will embody trailblazers such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith.

You can watch highlights from rehearsals with the company here, and below.

@whatsonstage

They’ve got a piece of ours! 💙 Mary Bridget Davies leads the company in the West End. #WhatsOnStage #Theatre #JanisJoplin #Musicals #MusicalTok #Vocals

♬ original sound – WhatsOnStage

The UK production is directed by Johnson, with choreography by Patricia Wilcox and musical supervision by Iestyn Griffiths. Allison Coyne serves as the associate director, while casting is overseen by Anne Vosser. It is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith and the estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol for Jam, Inc.

A Night with Janis Joplin runs at the Peacock Theatre in London’s West End from 21 August to 28 September 2024, with tickets on sale below.