First ladies of rock saluted in latest Shadowbox show

Many talented women have helped shaped modern rock 'n’ roll. Shadowbox Live aims to honor some of them with “Leather and Lace: A Musical Tribute to the Women of Rock,” to open Thursday in the Brewery District.

“It’s a good fit for us because we have a lot of great female singers, and it’s timely because March is Women’s History Month,” director Julie Klein said.

Previous Shadowbox tribute shows celebrated the Beatles (2014), Joe Cocker, Pink Floyd (both 2015), funk music (2016) and, together, David Bowie and Prince (2017).

“Audiences love our tribute shows. This one was easy to create because there are so many great female rock artists,” Klein said.

Among those honored in the two-act, two-hour show, which includes brief narration: Pat Benatar (“Hit Me With Your Best Shot”), Melissa Etheridge (“I’m the Only One”), Aretha Franklin (“Think”), Debbie Harry of Blondie (“Call Me”), Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart (“Crazy on You”),

Joan Jett (“I Love Rock ‘n Roll”), Annie Lennox (“Little Bird”), Stevie Nicks (“Edge of Seventeen”), Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane (“Somebody to Love”), Patti Smith (“Because the Night”) and Tina Turner (“Proud Mary.”)

(As happens occasionally, Shadowbox may cut a song or two in final rehearsals.)

Leah Haviland will sing songs by Amy Lee of Evanescence (“Bring Me to Life”), Lzzy Hale of Halestorm (“I Get Off”) and Lita Ford (“Kiss Me Deadly”).

“It’s inspiring because you get to learn their story as you learn their musical style,” Haviland said.

“The rock approach of Amy Lee, lead rock singer for Evanescence, is heavily influenced by folk, Celtic music and heavy metal . ... Ford is direct and passionate, very rock ’n’ roll. Her song tells the story of who she is and how she loves with abandon . ... And Halestorm is an amazing band, the next wave of rock ’n’ roll.”

Mary Randle was thrilled to be in the show.

“Our past shows focused on great male performers. It was like, finally! ... We have so many amazing female rock singers,” Randle said.

Randle will sing “Middle of the Road,” which Ohio native Chrissie Hynde recorded with the Pretenders.

“The song is about a woman finding her power in a male-dominated world," Randle said.

Randle, who rejoined Shadowbox Live in July after a four-year hiatus, sang Janis Joplin songs during her initial stint with the troupe from 1994 to 2014.

“To be able to do Joplin again is an honor, because she’s so iconic,” she said.

Randle will sing “Piece of My Heart,” a hit for Big Brother and the Holding Company; Joplin sang for the band before becoming a solo act.

“She goes for the jugular of emotions,” she said. “We’re remembering her because of her charisma and power. ... You can’t help but be enthralled with her singing.”

Shadowbox’s six-member house band, co-directed by Matt Hahn and Kevin Sweeney, aims to perform each song in the style that made it popular.

“Many songs and arrangements are iconic, so we strive to play the music with as much respect for the original artists as we can,” said Hahn, lead guitarist.

“Aretha Franklin was the queen of soul, gospel and R&B. She crossed over to a rock audience with beauty and power,” Hahn said. “Tina Turner’s music was raw, with great power and drama in it. With great rock ’n’ roll, you can feel the emotional power and honesty.”

Hahn also admires Jett, who was in the Runaways as a teenager.

“Some thought girls can’t play rock ’n’ roll, but Joan Jett didn’t give up. She went solo, kept on being a lead rock singer and guitar player,” Hahn said. “Women rockers were trailblazers.”