Jagged Little Pill a wonderful, thought-provoking musical

Jade McLeod and Lauren Chanel in the North American Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL - photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade, 2022

You oughta know that Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill: The Musical” is a visual powerhouse of choreography and visual effects, all while discussing stigmatized social elements.

So tug on those Doc Martens, tie that flannel around your waist and don’t forget to bring your poetic-grade angst with you to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, where Jagged Little Pill will be showcased through Oct. 2.

“Jagged Little Pill: The Musical” centers around Mary Jane Healy, a financially comfortable and privileged suburban mother of two with a recently acquired opioid addiction and a struggling marriage.

Heidi Blickenstaff, who performed the role of of Mary Jane, gives a commanding performance as the sarcastic lead who spent most of her adulthood trying to repress the memory of her sexual assualt. 

There are heavy thematic elements discussed in Jagged Little Pill, such as sexual assualt and drug addiction, however all these subjects were brought forth to the audience in a very artistic, mindful and visually engaging way. 

Lauren Chanel, who played Frankie Healy, delivers a spectacular debut performance as the teen daughter of an emotionally unavailable Mary Jane. 

The music of Alanis Morrisette’s 1995 album of the same name is incorporated fantastically throughout Jagged Little Pill. Songs such as “Predator” and “Forgiven” carry character conflicts and present them in a visually stunning and emotion-evoking way.

Set design for the musical incorporated visual effects, such as color lighting, imagery, and constantly moving set pieces which transports the audience into another scene in such a seamless and cinematically aesthetic way. 

Choreography was intricate and exceptional and made the musical the visually stunning masterpiece that it is.

The storyline, although it is an important one, may not be relatable to some audience members, as characters such as Nick Healy, played by Dillon Klena, have to deal with choices regarding morality and ethics that could impact their social standing and status.

Alanis Morrisette’s ode to emotionally devastating break-ups, ‘You Oughta Know,’ was performed captivatingly by Jade McLoed, who played Jo, Frankie’s girlfriend. 

McLoed received a standing ovation for their performance, which brought a sense of reliability and satisfaction to any audience member that has ever been cheated on. 

Lighting was used expertly to evoke and amplify emotion, however a proper strobe warning should have been given to the audience as the lighting could be a bit overwhelming for the viewer. 

Alongside opioid drug addiction and potential overdose, another stigmatized element incorporated throughout Jagged Little Pill, was the subject of sexual assualt.

Sexual assualt is a heavy and sensitive subject to deliver, especially in a musical format, however, themes such as victim blaming, no severe reprecussion for perpetrators of assault, silent observation of assualt and repression of trauma were presented in an eloquent manner that even persuaded the audience to take action in such situations if they are to occur in their life. 

Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill The Musical is a wonderfully visually engaging and thought invoking performance that will captivate audiences through the use of Morissette’s music and lyrics.