ST. PETERSBURG — American Stage’s 49th season, billed as “A Season of Icons,” gets underway this month with the electrifying Tony-nominated musical “A Night with Janis Joplin.” The production will run Sept. 16 through Oct. 11, at Raymond James Theatre, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg.
Ticket prices vary by performance. For information and tickets, call 727-823-7529 or visit Americanstage.org.
Written and created by Randy Johnson, this soulful concert experience features the Queen of Rock and Roll and her biggest influences as they take you on a rousing musical journey filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort. During the run, there will be two special performances: one featuring a post-show talkback on Thursday, Sept. 24; and an ASL night on Saturday, Sept. 26. It is recommended for ages 13 and older due to adult language and mature themes.
The role of Janis will be played by Laura Frye, who returns to the show after playing standby for the lead role in Florida Studio Theatre’s recent production. Her standby in this production will be played by Ryan Joustra, last seen at American Stage as The Witch in “Into the Woods” in the Park earlier this year. Joustra will be taking the stage for all of the Saturday matinee performances.
The Joplinaires, characters who represent the women who inspired Joplin’s music, will be played by Syreeta S. Banks (Aretha Franklin/Etta James), Delores McKenzie (Blues Singer/Chantel), Canela Vasquez (Nina Simone/Chantel), and Ariel Blue (Odetta/Bessie Smith/Chantel), with Sabrina Hamilton as a swing. They will be joined by a live band that features Jason Tucker (keys), Keith Meek (guitar), Nico Remy (drums), and Robert Baldridge (trumpet). The show is directed by Tony-nominated producer and award-winning director Céline Rosenthal.
“Janis Joplin didn’t just perform songs — she gave voice to something deeply personal and profoundly universal,” Rosenthal said. “That kind of honesty is rare — and it’s what makes her story, and this piece of theatre, feel so vital.”
The creative team is rounded out by Jason Tucker, music director; Vanessa Russo, choreographer; Kristen Martino, scenic designer; Ethan Vail, lighting designer; Wendell C. Carmichael, costume designer; Christopher Kinney, sound designer; Marcus Wehby, props designer; William San Giacomo, master electrician; Skylar Jay, scenic painter; Chloe Marie Dipaola, stage manager; Timon Brown, director of production; Thad Engle, technical director; Kylie Knickerbocker, interim costume shop manager; Leo Dougherty, front of house mixer/stagecraft fellow; Lucy Hart, assistant stage management fellow; and Sarah Donnelly, costume and wardrobe fellow.
Alongside this first show of their new season, American Stage is also debuting Access the Stage, a flexible four-tier ticketing program. By letting audiences choose the ticket price that works best for them, they are opening their doors a little wider to make live theater more accessible to all members of their vibrant community. A limited number of single tickets start at $20. For more information, contact call 727-823-7529 or email boxoffice@americanstage.org.