If there was ever a way to start the new year and one of the first shows of the season, Jagged Little Pill is it. I was blown away by the talent, messaging, and just the rawness that the show gave. If you have ever made a mistake, took a misstep, or had to rebuild your life from the ground up-this is for you.
Before you Go to see Jagged Little Pill
This show introduces quite a few adult themes. As liberal as I am as a parent, I do not think I would have taken my daughter just yet. Use caution as themes such as rape, drug use, and even sexual scenes may be inappropriate for a younger audience. Unless you have, or willing to have the conversation with a younger child-let them sit this one out. Come to the show about 30 minutes before. It is held at the Academy of Music. Getting into the show is a little more faster than most shows. There are several bars at the entrance as well as downstairs.
If you are looking for show swag, come prepared as they have it on sale. To make it easier get the swag before the show. As always on any Kimmel Cultural Campus location, masks are optional. Be courteous to your neighbors and respect their choice.
Raw Talent
When I say that the show has some of the most powerful singers you may have ever seen, it is true. The singing in this is timely sampling Alanis Morissette greatest hits. The cast knocked the songs out of the park. Every song made the scenes 10 times better.
Jagged Little Pill makes you Think
This show has some of the strongest themes that makes you think, laugh, and cry. I felt a flood of emotions watching. We see the Healy family go from a seemingly loving suburban family to the realness that I believe exists in every home. They take a walk away from their cookie cutter image as tragedies of all sorts of awakenings take place. I can’t even pinpoint what was the most gut wrenching scene. However there is a scene when they bring up the challenges of the Me Too movement. The cast is singing together with signs. One of the signs signaled that a man had too been violated. Not to make things about race although it will come up too, the black man with that sign impacte me so deeply.
Victims come in every form. Men and those who identify as men have been silent victims forever. It was something that I was and am aware of. It was something about seeing the sign that moved me. If you don’t have moments watching this where you cry or tempted to cry, are you human?
Human Experiences in Jagged Little Pill
Humanity is on display. The way we snug or own personal noses at despair is one of the takeaways. We uphold certain issues and tag them to certain people when in reality nothing is above any of us. Maybe it’s my own personal life that has seen so many of the themes in people close to me or even myself it just was jarring. Taking the production beyond music (albeit amazing) to touch the human soul will be something I will never forget. Not doing enough or being idle when the time is right I couldn’t even catch my breath quick enough before they brought that theme to the forefront.
Although all and I do mean all of the actors and actresses did a phenomenal job, I have to shout out Jade Mcleod, their voice really was more powerful than I was ready for. Phenomenal job. I interviewed them on the podcast, Conversations with Toi, give the episode a listen. The self care that they speak of makes even more sense. You have to cover your mind and heart doing such an intense production as this.
Jagged Little Pill is playing at the Kimmel Cultural Campus, Academy of Music from now until January 15th. Get your tickets now. Thank you to the Kimmel Cultural Campus, Allied Global, and the ENTIRE cast of Jagged Little Pill for having me. What an honor to experience such artistry.
