One Night With Janis Joplin @ Cleveland Play House

Mary Bridget Davies as Janis Joplin and Sabrina Elayne Carten as Blues Singer in the Cleveland Play House production of One Night With Janis Joplin directed by Randy Johnson in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare, July 27 – August 19, 2012. Photo credit: Janet Macoska.

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.

From Kory’s Review: “The set is big and flawlessly executed, the lighting pops, the sound is perfect, the band is fantastic, and the run of the show…way too short! I want to see this show again and again!”

Check out my interview with the star of One Night With Janis Joplin, Mary Bridget Davies and Grab tickets at ClevelandPlayHouse.com

All Shook Up @ Mercury Summer Stock

Image courtesy of Mercury Summer Stock and Fine Arts Photography

ALL SHOOK UP is the new musical comedy built around the catalogue of songs made famous by Elvis Presley. It takes place in 1955 (somewhere in middle America!) where one girl’s dream and a surprise visit from a mysterious leather-jacketed, guiter-playing stranger help a small town to discover the magic of romance and the power of rock & roll. Among the 24 recognizable songs featured in the score are classics like “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” and, of course, the title tune. C’mon everybody! You can’t help falling in love with ALL SHOOK UP. Put on your blue suede shoes, grab your teddy bear and follow that dream to Mercury Summer Stock!

I’ll review this show Saturday night and post that review next week here at New102.com! Grab tickets and more information on All Shook Up at MercurySummerStock.com

Legally Blonde The Musical @ Beck Center

From left to right, Delta Nu sorority sisters Serena (Ashley Coleman), Margot (Erin Diroll) and Pilar (Anna Register) take a peek at wedding photos as Elle (Caitlin Elizabeth Reilly*) sadly looks away. Photo: Kathy Sandham

Don’t underestimate Elle Woods, a college sweetheart, homecoming queen, and not so dumb blonde who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before – Harvard Law School. In the end, Elle learns that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

From Kory’s Review: “I laughed so hard I cried.”

Legally Blonde The Musical is in it’s final weekend at Beck Center! Grab tickets and information at BeckCenter.org