(Originally seen January 24, 2020)
I recently went to New York City and saw a musical called Jagged Little Pill. Everyone knows the famous Canadian artist Alanis Morissette and her album Jagged Little Pill. Well, they turned that album into a musical — and let me just say, it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. It was a very last-minute decision to go, but I’m so glad I did.
Story of JLP
The musical doesn’t follow Alanis’s life. It tells a brand-new story — about a family of four: the Healys. The son has just been accepted to Harvard. The daughter, who is black and adopted, doesn’t feel included in the family. The father works constantly, and the mother struggles with opioid addiction.
There’s also a girl who is sexually assaulted at a party, and a lesbian who’s dating the Healy daughter, who later develops feelings for a boy in her class. The show weaves these complex stories together, exploring how their lives intersect.
Review
Overall, this is one of the best musicals I’ve ever seen. A friend didn’t give it the best review, so I came in with low expectations. I’ve loved Alanis’s music since I was young, and I was curious to see how it would translate to the stage.
The storyline was clever. It brought together different issues while layering Alanis’s powerful music on top. Not everyone listens closely to the meaning behind a song — but when you can see that meaning played out onstage, it hits differently.
Even though this show isn’t about Alanis’s life, it gives you a deeper understanding of her lyrics. The musical covers a wide range of issues: sexual assault, addiction, sexuality, and more. Most musicals aim to make you feel good. This one makes you think. These issues are real — they’re happening around us right now.
Diablo Cody, who wrote the book for Jagged Little Pill, took today’s most pressing issues and built them into a jukebox musical. It was a smart move. When you go to the theatre expecting to hear a hit album, you don’t expect to witness something so emotionally heavy — at least, I didn’t. But the weight of the topics didn’t stop me from enjoying it.
There’s a powerful scene involving a rally, where people chant messages like “#MeToo” and “rape affects all genders.” It was stunning to witness.
This musical speaks to a wide audience. You’ll see young teens who love theatre or just recognize the cast. You’ll see adults who were just coming from the age when the album first dropped. You’ll see seniors who just want to enjoy a good show. And all of them are being asked to hear and feel stories that matter.
The Cast
Kathryn Gallagher, who plays Bella Fox, once said at BroadwayCon:
“I know this girl. I was that girl. Bella’s story is one that I wish I didn’t understand, but that allows me to bring truth to an experience that so many women share. It’s empowering.”
She is a phenomenal performer — you can feel her passion and emotion from the audience.
Elizabeth Stanley, who plays Mary Jane, makes you understand the pain of being told to “get over it.” She’s constantly expected to keep “Smiling,” even when she’s falling apart.
Celia Rose Gooding was only 16 when she was cast, and just 19 when the show opened. Her character grapples with not feeling accepted as a black girl living in a white home.
The Music
Alanis wrote 13 songs for the original Jagged Little Pill album, which was released in 1995. The Broadway cast album features 23 songs — from the “Overture” to “You Learn.”
Alanis even wrote one new song specifically for the musical: “Predator.” It’s sung by Kathryn Gallagher as Bella Fox and is about sexual assault and the trauma that follows.
Final Thoughts
This show is about standing up for what you believe in and being yourself. It raises awareness about tough issues while giving you unforgettable music.
Jagged Little Pill deeply inspired me. I truly believe it has the power to open minds and start conversations. I can’t wait to see this show change lives.
