Trigger Warner: Sexual Assault, Drug Use
The tagline, “Some shows you see. This show you feel.” came true as audience members reacted with anger, tears and pain with the characters of “Jagged Little Pill.”
Unlike most jukebox musicals, Alanis Morissette’s songs covered the narratives of the play correctly. The use of “Wake Up” and “Ironic” perfectly conveyed the environment and emotions of the play. Some of the play had to adapt to the songs, which made it feel out of place or too on the nose like “Mary Jane” or “Hand in My Pocket.” However, it did not take the audience out of the world.
The best performance was from Allison Sheppard, who portrayed Bella. She conveyed heartbreaking emotions while belting, especially in “No” and “Predator.” Two other great actors were Teralin Jones as Frankie Healy and Benjamin Eakeley as Steve Healey. Jones made the character of Frankie relatable and dislikable. She represented the pain of teenage angst. With Eakeley’s performance, the audience saw a change in the character. Although the smallest part out of all the Healey’s, he kept up with the dramatics of the show. Jade McLeod made great character choices as the gender-nonconforming gay, Jo, especially with their performance of “You Oughta Know” and “That I Would Be Good.”
The dark themes of the show like rape, self-discovery and drug abuse were done best with the choreography and singing, especially with Alanis Morissette’s alternative music. Unlike some musicals with poorly done or tip-toed themes, “Jagged Little Pill” did not hold anything back. “Predator,” “Wake Up” and “No” showed the true and horrible reactions to rape. “Uninvited,” “Smiling” and “Mary Jane” showed the authentic response to a drug overdose and drug addiction. The realistic portrayal shocked viewers.
“It dragged like all realistic situations like it do,” said patron Trevor Overholt, who watched the 3 p.m. showing. “The way they attack it makes you feel angry and sad.”
The best part of the show was the choreography. The contemporary opening dance pulled the audience in similar to an opening dance number in traditional Broadway shows like “Chorus Line” or “Chicago.” The dancing felt authentic to the dancers. They were allowed to be free and not have rigid and set movements with musical theatre, jazz and ballet dance. The use of lifts and flips gave levels to the audience similar to how a film makes the audience feel small with an up-camera shot. The contact improvisation created a chemistry with the performers. In “Uninvited” and “Predator,” the use of intimacy with Mary Jane and young Mary Jane created a sense of internal conflict. The dancer was able to move on platforms and moving set pieces. This always-moving blocking created the uneasy mood the show wants.
The set was thought-provoking as it created a very intimate atmosphere even though it was in a proscenium theatre. The show kept pulling out realistic props to make the show more authentic, like church pews, couches, beds and desks. Using a Cyclorama and projection screens helped convey the environment through the location, weather and emotions. The costumes also helped create a sense of seclusion and uneasiness. The ensemble wore dark colors which created a sense of darkness closing in.
“Jagged Little Pill” lives up to its name and song as it portrays the realistic and authentic problems of life.
