ZACH Theatre – An Austin Theatre Blog

KUT radio host John Aielli

On June 16 to June 18, 1967, the Monterey Pop Festival hosted the first major public appearance of Janis Joplin. Held in Monterey, CA, hundreds of thousands of people attended the festival to kick-start the loric “Summer of Love.” Janis Joplin shared the stage with Otis Redding, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and others to launch a counter-culture movement unlike any other seen in America.

In the spirit of that epic 3-day rock concert (and to kick-start ZACH’s Summer of Love), the LOVE, JANIS band stopped by KUT 90.5 studios here in Austin during the 22nd anniversary of the festival to spread the love of Janis Joplin’s music with Eklektikos host John Aielli.

The LOVE, JANIS band sets up before the broadcast

Ready in the booth?

It's not often that a bass player is the band leader, but Lannie Hilbolt (left) is doing both

Arnie Yanez plays drums

Guitarist Bob Overton plays guitar "better than they did in the 60s" according to John Aielli

Watch out: Jamie Hilbolt plays keyboards, and his organ playing gives The Doors a run for their money

Dave Lee (left) plays trumpet with fellow brass players Matt Kennon (middle, on saxophone) and baritone saxophonist Cynthia Mixon.

Janis Actress Sydney Andrews read a letter from the play

The always sharply dressed Dave Steakley called off tracks as the band played for nearly two hours in the studio

John Aielli has to have one of the best jobs in Austin. He's a consummate pro at it, too ...

Excerpts from the broadcast will be played all month on KUT 90.5, and the station is releasing a podcast this week of the performance. Check back with ZACH’s blog for updates and links to the radio show, and remember to stop by ZACH Theatre to see it all live!

Monterey Pop Festival anniversary performances are being held tonight (6/17/09) and tomorrow (6/18/09), and tickets for tonight’s performance are only $20. Call (512) 476-0541, x1 to reserve your seats or purchase tickets online.

Good news: You don’t have to stand uncomfortably for hours on end in the summer heat to see a blow-out concert this summer.

Andra Mitrovich and Mary Bridget Davies — two of the country’s preeminent soul singers — finished technical rehearsals this weekend to bring the songs of Janis Joplin to Austin on ZACH Theatre’s Kleberg Stage. And this indoor performance is huge in scale, replete with a massive visual show put on by Jeffrey Cady, who joins ZACH after finishing a run with Cirque Du Soleil’s Wintuk.

Musical direction for ZACH’s performance is by acclaimed conductor and local blues master Lannie Hilbolt, who also plays bass.

Lannie has been a professional bassist and singer for over 30 years. Some of his more notable performances include stints with Blues legend Coco Montoya, Chris Duarte, The Women in Jazz Series, 2 Command Performances at the White House for President and Mrs. George W. Bush and a guest performance with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. In theatre, Lannie has worked as bassist/conductor for such shows as: (at ZACH) Rockin Christmas Party, Beehive, Soul Sisters, 5 Guys Named Moe, Love Always Patsy Cline, Dreamgirls, Rocky Horror, Love Janis, Tommy, The Gospel at Colonus, Aida, Crowns, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Tapestry among others. He has also worked as bassist and conductor at the Palace Theater in Georgetown for the shows Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar and Little Shop of Horrors. Lannie also has many recording credits to his name.

He’s working with his brother, Jamie Hilbolt, on keyboards, as well as local guitarist Bob Overton, drummer Arnie Yanez, bass player David Evertson and saxophonists Matt Kennon and Cynthia Mixon.

“It’s been great working with such an extraordinary ensemble of musicians and singers to bring new life to the music of Janis Joplin,” Lannie said.

Tickets for Love, Janis are on sale by phone at ZACH’s box office, (512) 476-0541, x1, open Mon.-Sat. 12 noon-7pm. You can also order tickets online.

Sydney Andrews

Sydney Andrews is returning to ZACH Theatre to play the speaking role of Janis Joplin in Love, Janis. You may remember her from last season’s production of Doubt: A Parable, where she played Sister James — the novice nun who gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.

Sydney’s regional theatre credits include An Ideal Husband at Austin Shakespeare, James and the Giant Peach at The Berkshire Theatre Festival, and The Canterville Ghost at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. She also worked on the film Artois the Goat. Other theatre credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Big Love at the University of Texas, Austin (UT), and Uncle Vanya, The Crucible, The Spitfire Grill and Picnic at Greensboro College. She holds a B.A. from Greensboro college and is currently in the M.F.A. program at UT.