THE BASICS: JAGGED LITTLE PILL, a juke box musical, book by Diablo Cody, songs by Alanis Morissette, June 6 – 11, 2023. Tuesday – Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00, Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30. Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, a.k.a. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 845-1410 sheas.org
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: It turns out that suburban Connecticut’s perfect family just isn’t. Mom has a pill problem, dad feels unloved and surfs for porn, daughter isn’t handling her bi-curious life with much regard to some others’ feelings, and son is complicit in a #MeToo situation. And Bella has been date raped. WARNING – Jagged Little Pill is recommended for ages 14 and up. Content Warning: This production contains strong language (I guess the “f” word is now universally acceptable) adult themes, drug use, and moments of sexual violence that some may find upsetting.
RUNTIME: 2 hours 45 minutes
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: Harkening back to some of the great musicals of the past which have addressed social problems head-on, JAGGED LITTLE PILL is a snapshot of middle-class white America. Don’t assume that nice homes on the best blocks with manicured lawns house families whose lives are quite as put together on the insides as they appear on their outsides.
There are two, ultimately intersecting, through lines of the musical. The first is about Mary Jane Healy, a suburban mother, and wife, constantly keeping it together. “She’s amazing,” says her husband, all while wondering why they haven’t had sex in many months. The second is about Bella, the high school girl who drank too much at a party, was drugged (ketamine?) and then date raped. Meanwhile, Frankie, the adopted black daughter in this all-white family, is as unhappy with her home life as any teenager, but she’s a loyal ally of Bella, she’s a #MeToo protest organizer, and she’s bi-curious, although she’s not being the most honest when it comes to that. And Nick, the perfect son just accepted by Harvard, has a big secret.
Rishi Golani and Lauren Chanel in the North American Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL – photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022
Jade McLeod and Lauren Chanel in the North American Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL – photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022
Dillon Klena, Heidi Blickenstaff Chris Hoch and Lauren Chanel in the North American Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL – photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022
Dillon Klena and company of the North American Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL – photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022
(L-R) Delaney Brown, Lee H. Alexander, Jada Simone Clark and Alana Pollard in the North American Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL – photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022
I loved the book very much, which is not always the case with jukebox musicals, where often the plot seems forced to give an excuse for a particular song. Here the songs seemed to, as they are supposed to, move the plot forward and expand on the emotions portrayed. I say “seemed” because, except for a few hits that used to get heavy rotation on the radio, I’m not familiar with Alanis Morrisette’s lyrics. Pretty much everyone in Shea’s that I spoke with agreed that the words were hard to understand in the choral versions. But what I could make out I liked.
It is a very LOUD musical, punctuated by some lovely ballads, but it is LOUD. The “pit” (actually on an upper level) orchestra, occasionally visible, was kick-ass. (If you liked the on-stage band for SIX, you’ll love these folks.) And gender-neutrality is slowly coming to Broadway pits. Here women made up 3 of the 8 musicians, playing bass, drums, and viola.
Some around me thought the dancing was a little repetitive, but I loved the high energy and the diversity of body shapes on stage. The acting was excellent, as you’d expect from a Broadway tour, and the sets were very clever, rolling in and out, spinning and adding to the energy.
Before you go, you might want to brush up on your Morrissette playlist, but again, the story is so compelling that while I undoubtedly would have gotten more out of the musical if I knew the lyrics, I was satisfied. Very satisfied.
Note: This is the last of the M&T Broadway series at Shea’s for 2022-2023, but DEAR EVAN HANSEN is returning as a “special engagement” starting Tuesday, June 20.
Lead image: (L to R) Heidi Blickenstaff, Allison Sheppard, and Jena VanElslander in the North American Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL. Photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!
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