ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN Returns to Arena Stage, 6/21-8/11

Following a critically acclaimed run at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater this past fall, One Night with Janis Joplin, returns for a summer run. Leading the production is Mary Bridget Davies.

Created, written and directed by Randy Johnson, the production is produced in partnership with The Pasadena Playhouse in association with Todd Gershwin and Daniel Chilewich of One Night Productions, and the The Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeff Jampol of JAM, Inc. One Night with Janis Joplin runs June 21-August 11, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

"Having One Night with Janis Joplin in the Kreeger last season was great fun, and now it will be a shot of adrenaline to start out your summer," says Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith. "Randy Johnson has created a moving portrait of a seminal American artist, Janis Joplin. For so many, her soundtrack defines a part of their youth and for others, it's meeting this wildly original artist for the first time. There is nothing quite like hearing her voice resounding through the Mead Center for American Theater."

"Arena Stage has become one of my theatrical homes away from home, and I'm thrilled to be working with Molly, Edgar and the entire staff at Arena Stage again," adds Johnson. "After the incredible critical response we received this past fall, I am confident that audiences are ready to embrace Janis and her legacy again. I feel as if the D.C. audiences are my old friends, and I can't wait to see them all again and return home with One Night with Janis Joplin."

About One Night with Janis Joplin: With a voice like whiskey and a laugh like pure joy, Janis Joplin took the music scene by storm. Simultaneously rough and vulnerable, Joplin was dubbed the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, proving music wasn't just a man's world anymore. Packed with classic songs ("Piece of My Heart," "Summertime," "Mercedes Benz"), the show also shines the spotlight on trailblazers who influenced Janis-like Bessie Smith, Etta James and Aretha Franklin. Now, in a musical event featuring more than a dozen singers and band members, playwright-director Randy Johnson creates "a compelling portrait of an artist" (Culturemob) through the words, inspiration and music of one of America's greatest rock 'n' roll originals.

Full casting information will be announced at a later date.