By Janelle Henderson
Louisville is a town of hidden artistic gems, from art museums to eclectic music groups. This fall, theater is no exception with show topics ranging from murder to racism and rock legends.
Actors Theatre of Louisville will present “Love, Janis,” a musical tribute to the late rock vocalist Janis Joplin from Aug. 19 through Sept. 10. Based on the book of the same name by Janis’ sister, Laura Joplin, “Love, Janis” will feature 19 of Janis’ most well-known songs as well as letters she sent to her family during the rise of her career.
Following “Love, Janis,” Actors Theatre will present “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind,” a show that Kyle Shepherd, the Actors Theatre’s Media and Publicity Coordinator, described as a comedy with 30 plays in one hour. Filled with audience participation, the show is directed by the Neo-Futurists, self-described as “a collection of wildly productive writer/director/performers who create theater that is a fusion of sport, poetry and living newspaper.” The show will run Sept. 13-25.
For a meal and a play, the Derby Dinner Playhouse will present the gospel musical comedy “Smoke on the Mountain,” conceived by Alan Bailey and written by Constance Ray. “Smoke on the Mountain” gives a glimpse of life in North Carolina in 1938 as church members in a poor rural community share stories of their life and their religion. “Smoke” will be shown Aug. 23 through Oct. 2.
There will be several plays on campus as well, including student-produced and directed shows. Theater arts students will perform Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” Susan Yankowitz’ “Night Sky” and William Shakespeare’s “Winter Tale.”
The African-American Theatre Program, one of the nation’s few theater arts departments specializing in African-American theater, will present a play entitled “The State of Mississippi and the Face of Emmett Till” to commemorate Till’s brutal murder.
If you’re in the mood for classics, Latent Muse Productions in Pleasure Ridge Park is the place to be. Latent Muse Productions, whose name means the potential to inspire, will be running “To Kill a Mockingbird” in October and ending its season with “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“I want people to leave thinking and affected in some way,” said founder and executive producer Chad Sheffield.
