A Night with Janis Joplin
Just ahead of its 45th season, Circle Theatre presents a Special Engagement of A Night with Janis Joplin by Randy Johnson in the Velvet Lounge, an immersive, concert-style experience that leads audiences into Circle’s next chapter.

More than a tribute, A Night with Janis Joplin invites audiences into the world that shaped her sound. Through a journey of live music and storytelling, Janis shares the stage with the trailblazing women who influenced her voice, from Bessie Smith and Odetta to Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Nina Simone. Each song becomes a conversation across generations, revealing how blues, soul, and rock collided to create something unforgettable.

photo credit: Evan Michael Woods
This Velvet Lounge production places audiences inside the music itself, with an up-close, intimate setting that mirrors the feeling of a late-night club in the heart of the 1960s. The experience is electric, soulful, and deeply human, celebrating not just Janis Joplin’s voice, but the women who gave her music its roots.
The role of Janis Joplin is played by Brook Baker*, joined by Janette Robinson, Micaela Workman, Tamya J. Simmons, and Alaia Adriana, who portray the legendary singers that shaped her sound. The production is directed by Ashley H. White+, with music direction by Vicky Nooe, stage management by Kris Black Jasper*, and features scenic design by Leah Mazur, costumes by Carly Hinson, choreography for “Spirit in the Dark” by Kiandra Brooks, lighting by Reagan Fitzgerald*, and sound by Kae Styron. *Member of AEA | +Member of SDC

photo credit: Evan Michael Woods
A Night with Janis Joplin runs January 29 through February 21, 2026, as a Special Engagement in Circle Theatre’s Velvet Lounge. This production has been extended due to popular demand.
Tickets and full seating details are available at circletheatre.com.


