Janis Ian: Breaking Silence - Film Screening and Q&A with Janis

In 1965, Janis Ian, a 14-year-old singer-songwriter from New Jersey, wrote “Society’s Child” about an interracial relationship. Recorded and released a year later, the song launched Ian's career, but its subject matter ignited controversy, even resulting in death threats. The fallout plunged Ian into an emotional tailspin–and yet a few years later she emerged from the ashes with an even bigger hit, “At Seventeen.” Over six decades, Janis Ian gained ten Grammy nominations in eight different categories, saw her song “Stars” recorded by such luminaries as Nina Simone and Cher, and overcame homophobia, misogyny, and a life-threatening illness to produce an indelible body of work that continues to draw audiences around the globe.

Join us for a screening of Breaking Silence, which made its world premiere at the DOC NYC Festival in November 2024. Featuring a star-studded lineup of interviews, including Lily Tomlin, Joan Baes, Arlo Guthrie, Jean Smart, Laurie Metcalf and more, the film contains archival footage and stills, animations, and new interview with Janis. It follows her life, showing how her politically active parents influenced her songwriting, particularly with the song “Society’s Child.”

Along with her musical accomplishments, the film gives an intimate look into Ian’s relationships, the challenged she faced within the music industry and the struggles to hide her sexual identity before coming out as a lesbian during the release of her album Breaking Silence in 1993.

Janis Ian will be present for a Q&A session after the film.

Artist Website



The cabaret and through row D are reserved for Theater Members until one month before the show. If you are a Theater Member, select your tickets using the price code that matches your Membership level and enter your Member ID into the Membership box on the checkout page. To inquire about Membership, call our Box Office at 215-257-5808 or click here.