The music of the late, great, rock legend Janis Joplin filled the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts on last Friday, March 25. The rock tribute “Livin’ Janis” brought the bygone era of the 60s back to life as it focused on the turbulent life of Joplin from her rise to fame, to her untimely death at age 27 to a heroin overdose.

New Orleans singer and actress Dorian Rush starred as Joplin in the production, and also is the creator of the unauthorized biographical tribute. Rush has been performing in theatre and music for 13 years and has performed in over 1,200 live performances.

According to Rush, belting out tunes from smoke-filled bars and the stages of Jazz Fest gave her the experience needed to write “Livin’ Janis.” Rush was the recipient of the Big Easy Award for Best Cabaret for the production of “Livin’ Janis.”

“The Columbia Theatre has always tried to take advantage of the wealth of talent that New Orleans has to offer,” said Interim Director Dr. Kenneth Boulton. “Dorian Rush is one of those huge talents.  Her ability to channel the highs and lows of Janis Joplin’s life was extraordinary, complete with tremendously passionate and visceral singing.”

Along with Rush, was her “band of angels,” including Michael Sollars on drums, Brian Broussard on bass and Bill Davis on guitar to make up Joplin’s band.

Joplin was a lover of life and sought after every pleasure, which was the focus of the rock musical. The production opened with two of Joplin’s band mates complaining that their lead singer is late yet again, when another band mate runs to tell them he discovered the singer dead in her hotel room after losing her battle with drugs and alcohol. Then, Rush appeared onstage as Joplin and sang her well-known hits while intermingling facts about Joplin’s life when she traveled from her hometown of Port Arthur, Texas to California.

Joplin is best known for songs such as “Piece of My Heart,” “Down on Me” and “Get It While You Can.” Her best selling album was “Pearl,” which was released posthumously. Because of her death at age 27, Joplin was added to the rock phenomenon the 27 Club. The 27 Club is a group of influential musicians who all met their end at the age of 27. Along with Joplin are members such as Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain.

According to Boulton, for the time being, this performance was the last of “Livin’ Janis” Rush had planned on scheduling, and he was glad Columbia could host it.

“The audience was totally into the show, hanging onto every note and word,” said Boulton. “It was a great evening.”