Overview
Synopsis
Based around the music of Alanis Morisette, Jagged Little Pill centers on the Healy family: MJ and Steve and their teenage children Frankie and Nick. The Healy’s appear to be the picture perfect family in their competitive Connecticut suburban neighborhood. Yet pictures can be deceiving. Despite her efforts to keep up appearances, MJ battles a growing addiction to opiates following a car accident and battles with trauma in her past that she has not yet come to terms with. Steve watches his wife become increasingly withdrawn and distant from him, without knowing why. Meanwhile their children are battling challenges of their own. Frankie is determined to find her own voice and discover her sexuality, while Nick must balance the pressure of his parents to do well against exposing his own faults in order to make sure justice is served. Exploring a range of sensitive issues, including rape, sexuality, addiction, and racism, Jagged Little Pill presents a vivid, messy, and chaotic portrayal of a modern-day family who deal with their pain and try to heal.
Show Information
- Book
- Diablo Cody
- Music
- Alanis Morissette , Glen Ballard
- Lyrics
- Alanis Morissette , Glen Ballard
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2018
- Genres
- Dark Comedy, Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Suburban Connecticut, Present Day
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Overture – Company
- "Right Through You" – Company
- "All I Really Want" – Frankie, Mary Jane, Steve, Nick and Company
- "Hand in My Pocket" – Jo, Frankie and Company
- "Smiling" – Mary Jane and Company
- "Ironic" – Frankie and Phoenix
- "So Unsexy" – Steve, Mary Jane and Company
- "Perfect" – Nick
- "Lancer's Party (So Pure)" – Company
- "That I Would Be Good" – Phoenix, Frankie and Jo
- "Wake Up" – Frankie, Nick and Company
- "Forgiven" – Mary Jane and Company
Act Two
- Entr'acte/"Hands Clean" – Company
- "Not the Doctor" – Mary Jane and Steve
- "Head over Feet" – Steve, Mary Jane, Phoenix and Frankie
- "Your House" – Jo
- "Unprodigal Daughter" – Frankie and Company
- "Predator" – Bella and Company
- "You Oughta Know" – Jo and Company
- "Uninvited" – Mary Jane and Company
- "Mary Jane" – Steve and Company
- "No" – Bella and Company
- "Thank U" – Company
- "You Learn" – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A persistent and intense urge and/or physical dependency on a drug.
A musical that features hit songs of a popular music group or genre.
A musical theatre work using rock music.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher