Review: JAGGED LITTLE PILL THE MUSICAL, Kimmel Cultural Campus - US National Tour

Photo credit: Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade

Jagged Little Pill the Musical contains all of the empowering, nostalgic, and painful hits of Alanis Morissette’s album of the same name.

The musical was nominated for 15 Tony Awards, winning two (Best Book of a Musical and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical) as well as a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Jagged Little Pill the Musical is based on the novel by Philadelphia’s own Eric Smith.

The powerful vocals of Frankie (Lauren Chenel) and Jo (Jade McLeod; also Canadian like Alanis) bring to the stage the familiar sounds of Alanis Morrissette. Throughout the performance, there are constant punk rock ensembles mixed with classical ballet movements to create a cohesive blend of poise and rebel. The use of protest signs that read “Believe Black Women,” “Stand With Survivors,” and “Stand Up Don’t Stand By” emphasise to the audience that these are actions we need to take now. One cannot see Jagged Little Pill the Musical without noticing the carefully orchestrated band playing in the rafters on stage throughout the show. This is a Juke Box musical for those who grew up in the 90s.  

Jagged Little Pill the Musical combines modern internal conflict with the music of Morissette to help bring social struggles to the forefront. The image of the perfect family is just that; an image. Doting mother Mary Jane (MJ), played by Heidi Blickenstaff (reprising her Broadway role) projects her perfect family to the world through the annual Christmas card. MJ tells of her husband Steve's job promotion, her daughter Frankie's artistic achievements, and her son Nick's early admission to Harvard University. MJ also notes that she was recently in a car crash but with the help of holistic remedies, she is healing. Not noted in the Christmas letter is that Steve is addicted to porn, Frankie whose best friend Jo is in love with her, MJ is addicted to painkillers, and Nick has all of the pressure to maintain the “perfect family image.” How will they all uphold the family and social pressures?   

Morissette’s lyrics in Jagged Little Pill the Musical help the audience cope and understand the suffering each character endures. The agony every character experiences from start to finish are representational in the hits including ‘All I Really Want’, ‘Hand in My Pocket’, and ‘Ironic’. The characters find their true self throughout the musical, culminating in an explosive ending with ‘You Learn’.

Jagged Little Pill the Musical is unapologetically raw with the topics of suicide, depression, rape, trauma, and self-identification at every turn of the play. This is not a musical that you will leave feeling hopefulness and happiness; rather you might wonder what truths or demons you hiding to make yourself conform to those around you?  

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Danielle Ohman

Jagged Little Pill the Musical at the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music until 15 January as part of its US national tour, with tickets available here.