5/12/2022
Broadway Las Vegas / Performances and Artists
When Tony-winning Director Diane Paulus first approached Alanis Morissette about adapting her iconic “Jagged Little Pill” album into a musical, Paulus had grandiose ideas in mind.
“I did say, ‘I feel like your album is epic, and we have to do something epic theatrically,’” says Paulus, who also directed beloved musical “Waitress.” “There are many people who want to live inside ‘Jagged Little Pill,’ with the visceral nature of this music.”
It’s no wonder she felt so inspired.
Morissette’s 1995 album, featuring tunes like “Ironic,” “Head Over Feet” and “You Oughta Know,” became a global sensation. It sold over 33 million albums worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. Morrisette, just 21 at the time, earned the Grammy for Best Rock Album and the Grammy for Best Album, making her the youngest to ever do so.
And Paulus delivered on her promises to honor Morissette’s raw, emotional melodies with the smash Broadway musical “Jagged Little Pill,” featuring all of Morissette’s megahits.
Paulus tapped Oscar-winning writer Diablo Cody (hailed for her hilarious film ”Juno”) to pen this electrifying production about a perfectly imperfect American family. Composer Tom Kitt worked side by side with Morrisette in adapting her songs for the stage.
It also earned the approval of the gifted songstress who inspired it all.
“My songs have taken on a new life in a way that has expanded beyond what I even knew possible,” Morrissette says. “It feels like the record and the book (for the musical) were written at the same time.”
Morrissette Meets Greek Theater
While writing the show’s book, Cody says Morissette’s album felt like “a gift,” because the songs’ strong storytelling wove seamlessly into theatrical drama.
“When you listen to ‘Jagged Little Pill,’ I feel like the characters are in there already,” Cody says. “It’s not a typical jukebox musical situation where you’re thinking ‘how can I shoe-horn this hit into the story?’ It was really this cool, synergistic organic thing.”
Reflecting the fierce feminist messages in Morissette’s songs, the musical largely focuses on three women, with the cathartic melodies capturing the tremendous challenges they endure.
These characters take on another dimension with a Greek-chorus-inspired ensemble on stage, which reacts physically and vocally to the story’s compelling twists.
This gave acclaimed Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui endless opportunities with creating the ensemble’s athletic dancing and movement, he says.
“You have these bodies in the room who can witness what’s going on in the family and can move along with them or move against them,” he says. “Through their eyes, we can know if something will derail or go in a good direction.”
Keeping the Songs Sacred
Kitt admits he felt intimidated in adapting Morissette’s famous songs.
“The great challenge with something like this is you’re working with an iconic, brilliant masterpiece, so everyone is going to know what you did,” he says.
He found his solution in closely following Morissette’s guidance, he adds.
“This album matters as much to me as it does to anybody,” he says. “I take it very seriously. It’s sacred.”
Morissette lauds that working with the show’s creative team felt even more rewarding than performing her original hits solo.
“This experience has brought me into this community,” she says. “It has brought these songs and stories to life in a way that has allowed the rubber to hit the road.”
SEE THE SHOW
“Jagged Little Pill” runs at The Smith Center September 6 to 11 – for tickets, CLICK HERE.