(Photo credit: Ryan Grant – Timeslip Facebook page)
‘Jukebox’ musicals are not my first choice when it comes to seeing a show; the plot is often choppy and the original music style is very seldom respected. However, after seeing Jagged Little Pill at Actors Theatre, my opinion has seemed to slightly shift. Jagged Little Pill is a jukebox musical solely based on the iconic album released by Alanis Morissette in 1995 featuring rock songs such as ‘You Outta Know’ and ‘You Learn’. It follows the story of the ‘picture-perfect’ Healy family, unraveling their dynamic and revealing personal secrets, unveiling that they may not be as wonderful as they seem.
Although some of the ensemble staging felt cluttered or unnecessary, most of the leads shone bright especially with their chemistry and on-stage connections. This was wonderfully exemplified by Katie Murphy (Jo) with jaw-dropping vocals that had the whole audience star-struck. Their grungy voice fit the vibe of ‘You Outta Know’ and ‘One Hand in My Pocket’ wonderfully, especially on the parts requiring belting. For this show, connections are incredibly important and Katie didn’t let us down especially with their love interest: Frankie Healy (played by Janaesja Beckham) a passionate activist dealing with racial alienation and sexual identity.
Jordan Price (Steve Healy) was especially tuned in not only with his wonderful acting style but his polished vocals as well, hitting every note with professional technique and perfect vibrato. Another stand out performer was Meagan Richardson (Mary Jane Healy) due to her naturalistic acting and impressive belting range. She handled the characters’ drug addiction with maturity without overselling it or making it cheap.
Their son Nick Healy, played by Tynan Hillegas did an excellent job playing the ‘golden boy’ while still finding time to show moments of emotional baggage and stress, staying true to his character. Extra shout out to Danielle McKinny for her hilarious yet accurate portrait of the exhausted English teacher. And where the ensemble lacked in the flow of their staging, they made up for in wonderfully blended harmonies, especially in the later numbers.
At times, I would’ve liked to see a more detailed set but I understand the company’s choice to keep a barren stage; dealing with clunky sets during group numbers can be a large challenge. Overall, Time Slip’s production of Jagged Little Pill was impactful and thought provoking.
Viewer discretion is advised due to topics of drug abuse, sexual assault and generational trauma; the recomended age for viewing is 16+. You can catch this production at Actors Theatre, running from January 30th to February 8th
