Love, Janis
(photo credit: Marines Memorial Theater)
Decided to check out some theatah with my neighbor. She managed to get 1/2 price tickets (score!) the day of, orchestra seats, no less. Took the cable car over to Union Square so fast that we had a half an hour to kill, and while walking around the block I discovered a new bar: The Hidden Vine.
I kind of wanted to experiment with Equus in a small south of market venue, but she was pretty into seeing Love, Janis, and now I know why- she was in SF when Janis was popular, and she was a huge fan of her music. It was neat to be with someone who had the authentic experience, whereas mine was completely distanced. I enjoyed the blues, the live music, and learning about Janis. But for me, perhaps seeing Nirvana or a Smiths review would have been more of my nostalgia trip.
I didn’t know a lot about Janis Joplin going in, except that she lived fast and died young. There’s a lot of San Francisco-ness in it, though it’s a transplanted show from the East Coast. She lived here, loved it, and she had unique insights into being a newcomer in SF, which are intelligent and interesting as a relief from her later fame and fortune. Janis’ descriptions of SF in the Summer of Love are also priceless. The audience responses were fun too. Check it out before it leaves- Jan 5 (or, at least, that’s how far in advance you can get tix).
I would like to catch that show – read an article about it when it first opened, and the Joplin performance is so demanding that they have TWO actors playing the part, so they can alternate performances!
What intrigued me about the show is that it isn’t just a JJ revival venue, but a window into the private perspective of that barely-past-teenager personality, based primarily from the letters and sketches that she sent home to her family. When I think of rockin’ Janis Joplin, sweet and touching letters to the folks back home aren’t in my image.
Half-price tix is the way to go! I need to commit myself to trying that some weekend.
Yeah, that’s what my neighbor said- that she never knew Janis was such a nice, sweet, downhome kind of girl (as revealed in her sister’s book)- but it was lost on me because I really didn’t know much about Janis Joplin’s rocker personae.
The Hidden Vine is a great venue! I’d forgotten about it! In a half-cellared back room, with a friendly staff, heck, it’d be a great spot for small group gatherings.. eh?
Oh, I was planning to pop into THV
on a Thr to analyze their cheese plate
but I think that ran into scheduling
problems with your friend Loan.
If you are interested in going to
‘Hidden Vine on Thr, let me know.
Did you decide about EqEqEqEquus?
I think I am going to try and catch
the David Hockney-powered Tristan and
Isolde [+4.5hrs!].