By Valerie Milano, Senior Editor
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/28/26 – Tony Award nominee and acclaimed performer Mary Bridget Davies is preparing to launch her newest project, Women Who Rock You™, at City Winery New York on June 22. More than a concert, the production celebrates the voices, stories, and lasting impact of some of the most influential women in rock and soul music while honoring legendary songwriter Jerry Ragovoy.
Davies, who earned widespread recognition for her acclaimed portrayal of Janis Joplin on Broadway and stages around the world, spoke with The Hollywood Times about the inspiration behind the show, the lessons she learned from Joplin, and why the stories of pioneering women artists remain more important than ever.
For Davies, portraying Joplin has been more than a role, it has been a journey of personal and artistic growth.
“When I first started out, I was still figuring out who I was as an artist,” Davies explained. “Janis gave me permission to be more myself. She wasn’t concerned about perfection. She was concerned about truth.”
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Davies described how studying Joplin’s emotional intensity helped her move beyond being a technically proficient singer and embrace a deeper authenticity. She also learned from Joplin’s resilience in a music industry that often-treated women unfairly.
“She kept getting back up,” Davies said. “There was a tenderness and broken heartedness to her, but there was also incredible strength and determination.”
One of the most meaningful songs in Davies’ current repertoire is “Don’t Compromise Yourself,” a song written by Ragovoy and originally intended for Joplin.
Reading the lyrics for the first time was an emotional experience.
“I realized this man was her friend,” Davies said. “The message is simple but powerful—you are all you’ve got. At the end of the day, you have to be your own strength.”
The song’s message resonates deeply with Davies, who sees it as both a tribute to Joplin and a reminder for women navigating industries that continue to be male dominated.
The upcoming Women Who Rock You™ show celebrates artists including Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge, Alanis Morissette, Dolores O’Riordan, and Joplin herself.
“The through-line is power,” Davies explained. “These women carved out who they were. They remind us of our own strength.”
The show combines live performance with storytelling, offering audiences historical context about the artists and the challenges they faced while building groundbreaking careers.
Davies hopes younger audiences will discover the roots of modern music by exploring the artists who paved the way.
“I hope people leave wanting to listen to The Pretenders again or revisit The Cranberries,” she said. “These women didn’t always receive the recognition they deserved during their lifetimes, and their stories still matter.”
Part of Davies’ mission is preserving the history behind the music.
She spoke passionately about helping audiences understand the cultural and social significance of artists ranging from blues pioneers like Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie to modern icons such as Dolores O’Riordan.
Revisiting O’Riordan’s work with The Cranberries gave Davies a renewed appreciation for the singer’s ability to channel the realities of growing up amid political conflict in Ireland into unforgettable music.
Likewise, diving into Tina Turner’s early recordings revealed a level of technical mastery that Davies believes deserves greater recognition.
“People think singers just get up behind a microphone and sing,” she said. “But what Tina was doing was incredibly sophisticated. It was artistry at the highest level.”
The June 22 launch event will also celebrate Ragovoy, who was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Davies described Ragovoy as a master songwriter whose soulful compositions helped define the sound of multiple generations.
“He wrote with such intention and emotion,” she said. “His songs remain relatable because they come from a very honest place.”
Ragovoy’s catalog includes classics recorded by Janis Joplin, Dionne Warwick, and many other legendary performers, making his influence a natural fit within the Women Who Rock You™ celebration.
As the project expands into a digital media platform and web series, Davies hopes to continue sharing the stories behind the music while introducing new audiences to influential artists and their legacies.
But at its heart, the project remains rooted in the live experience.
“When people leave, I want them talking,” Davies said. “I want them going to dinner afterward and saying, ‘Did you know that story?’ or ‘Let’s listen to that artist on the drive home.’ I want people to reconnect with each other and with the music.”
In an age dominated by streaming algorithms and endless scrolling, Davies believes live performance offers something technology cannot replicate.
“It’s about being present,” she said. “It’s about feeling something real.”
As Women Who Rock You™ prepares to make its New York debut, audiences can expect more than a concert. They can expect a celebration of music, history, resilience, and the women whose voices continue to inspire generations.
Women Who Rock You™ launches June 22 at City Winery New York.
