Supernaut in Janis Musical

Tim Braun the Supernaut strums second guitar in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of Love, Janis, now playing at the new Copaken Stage at 13th and Walnut. The show splits the role of Joplin between a husky-voiced singer and another, speaking-parts-only actress, both of whom aren’t from here. (One is Janis the performer and one is Janis the insecure Texan girl still clamoring for her family’s approval. Get it?)

I wouldn’t be surprised if long-haired Braun, who normally looks like he just stepped out of 1969, provided his own retro fabulous costumes. He and local musicians Zack Albetta, Ken Lovern, Damien “Woo” Salazar, David Sturch and Terry Swope are posing as Joplin’s band through at least March 18. And Braun intimated on the phone to me recently that the show’s run could well be extended. He squeezed a Supernauts gig into his tight schedule this Friday at Davey’s Uptown. But don’t expect to catch the ‘nauts playing out regularly until Joplin ODs once and for all.

— Crystal K. Wiebe

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