Janis - Queen of Rock 'n' Roll!
Sunday at the Gaillard was
"A Night With Janis Joplin,"
I had missed seeing her perform when she exploded on the music scene in the sixties.
I was aware of "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Piece of My Heart" certainly but did not see her before she died Oct 4, 1970. Janis was 27.
2014 Tony Award nominee
Mary Bridget Davies, captured the voice, the emotion, and the energy last night.
And this Broadway hit wrapped up its 32-city tour appropriately here in Charleston.
The opening number was a lilting classic "Summertime," followed by the rugged version as belted out by
Ms. Joplin. (The link takes you to that true rendition by the real Janis Joplin in 1969).
This was not just an impersonator doing songs made famous by somebody else.
I've seen a few "do" Elvis and even the Beatles and Elton John.
The audience bought into this and the experience was electric.
The four talented ladies in the "chorus" brought to life many of the musical influences in Joplin's short life.
They gave us faithful moments of Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith and a standing ovation by Aretha Franklin, all shimmery and shiny in silver.
A magical evening with the performances at the extremely-talented
Broadway level and delightfully tricky staging and lighting.
This was my fourth evening of performances at our newly-reopened Gaillard Center and I am proud to say all have been exceptional.
At the last minute I had to skip the David Sedaris evening but I hear it too was splendid.
Two single spots on him, standing at the lectern stage center as he read - and tested - his written material for an avid audience.
Thank you, Gaillard, for choice entertainment.
And we haven't even seen yet what it will do with Spoleto!
Click on the photos and the links for more details and information.
Thanks for stopping by to share my take on Charleston entertainment.
Yes, I remember bell-bottoms but, these were pretty fancy.
Labels: An Evening with Janis Joplin, Aretha, bell-bottoms, Bessie Smith, David Sedaris, Etta James, Mary Bridget Davies, Nina Simone, Odetta, Spoleto Festival USA 2016, Summertime
David Sedaris reading
Wow. David Sedaris is a great writer and he reads real pretty too. I have enjoyed several of his humorous books - loaned to me by Raj - but last night at the Performing Arts Center, Raj and I sat in the second row and watched him closely as he read various short pieces for a little more than an hour and then sparkled for another 20 minutes of Q & A from the audience. The crowd looked to be nearly a sellout in the 2,400 seat facility.
Raj had wondered as we drove over if this were the right venue. It's big and it could look bad if only a few hundred showed. Not a problem.
When we were in a long line waiting to pay parking, I panicked and thought for a moment a hockey playoff game was also happening next door! Nope, just the power of Public Rodeo as David said he was once introduced during an interview. He is a frequent and funny contributor to NPR.
Speaking of hockey next door in the Coliseum, my last time there I had noticed a sign hanging above the top seats, far above the ice: "Ceiling Fans". Tonight I felt sorry for all the people sitting behind us further back and up in the nosebleed seats. They were missing the subtle grins, tics, smiles and eye-rolling David displayed as he read various pieces and excerpts from his diary. David would create a pregnant pause and then take a sip of water from a goblet, staring over the rim as he analyzed the crowd's reaction. He later admitted he enjoyed "testing" a piece, hearing it and editing in his mind. A large wooden podium was the single prop on the front edge of the huge bare stage with a curtain draped across the rear.
He finished and gave a little bow and as David left stage right to heavy applause, we got up and headed for the exit and my car parked right in front. Raj had to work tonight and we got back to my house a few minutes after 10. He had time for two cups of coffee and then changed into his scrubs and took off for the hospital. As usual, he was on time for his 11pm shift.
Sitting down front for a one-man show is the best way. The closer the better.
Labels: David Sedaris, NPR, PAC, second row
