'A Night With Janis Joplin' opens in St. Petersburg

Janis Joplin died more than 45 years ago after only three years in the public eye. But her legacy is still thriving.

Evidence is in "A Night With Janis Joplin," the musical about Joplin's life and music. The show was a big Off-Broadway hit and had a short run on Broadway. Now it's touring the country for 10 weeks. The tour will stop at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg for one show only, on Friday.

Starring as Janis is Mary Bridget Davis, who was nominated for a Tony Award for the Broadway run of the show. The touring show is directed by Randy Johnson, who wrote the show and directed its Broadway and Off-Broadway runs.

The show includes such hits as "Me and Bobby McGee," "Piece of My Heart," "Mercedes Benz," "Cry Baby" and "Summertime." Besides Joplin, the dramatis personae include such musical icons as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, all of whom inspired Joplin.

There's not much narrative to the show, according to reviews. It's staged as a Joplin concert, and in between sings she talks about her life and influences, and some of the other blues and R&B pioneers come to life on stage.

Details: 8 p.m. April 22, Mahaffey Theater, 401 First St. S., St. Petersburg. Tickets: $39, $49, $59 and $69. Information: 727-892-5767, themahaffey.com.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 5:41 PM with the headline "'A Night With Janis Joplin' opens in St. Petersburg ."