Room 105 - The Highs and Lows of Janis Joplin
Press Contact: Lisa Takack, (310) 274-3880

JANIS JOPLIN IS RESURRECTED
IN ROOM 105
STARRING GRAMMY NOMINATED SOPHIE B. HAWKINS, DIRECTED BY GIGI GASTON


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-- Los Angeles, August 31-- Acclaimed filmmaker Gigi Gaston's ROOM 105 - a new musical show starring Grammy-nominated Sophie B. Hawkins - is a thoughtful and entertaining tribute to legendary soul singer Janis Joplin. The show is a humorous, engaging, bittersweet, intimate and honest musical confessional. Janis brings the audience into her world and her life, and teases viewers about aspects of modern day pop culture, of which she is privy. A modern-day retrospective on Joplin's turbulent life, telling a story that reveals the iconic singer's thoughts on love, sex, fame and belonging. The show will premiere on October 4, the very night of the anniversary of Janis Joplin's death, at the Macha Theatre-- blocks away from Barney's Beanery where she had her last drink before her untimely death, joining the infamous 27 club.
Showcasing classic Joplin music and original songs by Sophie B. Hawkins, ROOM 105 brings this transformative counterculture figure to life with realistic imagery and dramatic stage elements. With frequent asides encouraging audience participation, music and theater fans won't want to pass up the opportunity to contribute to this dynamic show. The spirit of Joplin returns to Hollywood on October 4.
Since Sophie B. Hawkins' fast rise to stardom in 1992 with the hit song "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover", the Grammy nominated artist has been hailed by critics as a modern-day Janis Joplin. The single "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles' chart in the USA, and was also a top 20 hit in the UK. Her second album, was released in 1994. Produced by Stephen Lipson, it also contained a US Top 10 hit, "As I Lay Me Down," the longest running hit single in AC music for 67 weeks and made world wide platinum status. Three singles from the album made the UK top 40, including "Right Beside You," which peaked at #13. It reached number 2 in the Dutch Top 40.
Gigi Gaston is a writer and director who sold her first screenplay Like A Lady to Drew Barrymore and Harvey Weinstein. Gigi went on to garner critical acclaim and numerous awards for her directorial debut for the documentary, The Cream Will Rise. Gigi recently completed work on the screenplay Alone Together: The Life of Teddy and J. Paul Getty and a screenplay on the life of supermodel and conservationist Margaux Hemingway.


HERE'S IS WHAT OTHER MEDIA HAVE SAID ABOUT SOPHIE B HAWKINS:

"Sophie B. Hawkins has had one of the sweetest 'Janis Joplin-like' voices in music"
- ARTHUR KADE


"Sophie was wonderful. Amazing! She channeled Janis Joplin"
- REPTILES IN THE ICE CREAM


"...an achingly raw, Janis Joplin-esque take on the Nina Simone classic "Sinner Man,"
- ALL MUSIC.COM


"Sophie and her incredible voice have long been compared to Janis Joplin...
- THE EXCLUSIVE


"Hawkins echoes the fire of Janis Joplin herself"
- ASPEN TIMES


"The spirit of Janis Joplin grafts onto her always-unfettered soul."
- PEAK VIBE/B