LAUNCHING THE ICONIC THEATRE ROYAL SYDNEY 2 - 19 DECEMBER 2021
Sydney audiences will experience this electrifying and inspiring 15-time Tony Award nominated Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill,inspired by the ground-breaking album of the same name by Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette - from 2 December as it premieres at Theatre Royal Sydney.
Official tickets are on sale now jaggedmusical.com
Jagged Little Pill takes a look at what it means to be alive in 21st century America ignited by Morissette’s beloved hits such as ‘You Oughta Know,’ ‘Head Over Feet,’ ‘Hand In My Pocket,’ and ‘Ironic’, as well as two brand new songs written just for the show. Jagged Littled Pill features lyrics by Alanis Morissette with music by Morissette and six-time Grammy Award winner Glen Ballard and an original story written by Oscar Award winner Diablo Cody.
“I am so excited that our much-loved musical will make its way to your Sydney shores very soon! Creating this show alongside an incredible artist and songwriter like Alanis was both a gift and a privilege. Alanis's iconic album inspired me to tell a story that was both emotional and hopeful, and I'm so grateful it has come to life with Diane’s incredible direction and Larbi and Tom’s choreography and music arrangements. It was an absolute dream for me to work with this creative 'dream team' on my first Broadway show” said writer Diablo Cody.
Multi award winner Natalie Bassingthwaighte (she/her) stars in the electrifying and inspiring Australian production of JAGGED LITTLE PILL in the lead role of Mary Jane Healy, alongside critically acclaimed film, TV and stage actor and recording artist, Tim Draxl (he/him) as Steve Healy. Making her musical theatre debut, Emily Nkomo (she/her) stars as Frankie Healy, and Queensland Conservatorium of Music graduate Liam Head (he/him) will play Nick Healy.
“Oh my goodness I am beyond excited to be cast in my very first professional musical theatre production and none other than a Tony Award winning Broadway show like Jagged Little Pill! I love the character of Frankie so much. She's strong, complex, rebellious, and socially aware. I seriously can’t wait to get to embody her whilst performing some of Alanis Morissette’s best songs” said Emily Nkomo.
After originating the lead role of Muriel in Muriel’s Wedding the Musical, and recently performing in the US tour of Dear Evan Hansen Maggie McKenna (they/them) stars as Jo, with emerging stage and theatre performer Grace Miell (she/they) playing Bella and Phoenix is played by AYDAN (he/him) who has maintained a strong following after his appearance on The Voice and featured role as Harry in Fangirls.
Joining them will be the stellar ensemble cast Baylie Carson (they/she), Bella Choundary (she/her), Josh Gates (they/he), Matt Hamilton (he/him), Georgina Hopson (she/her), Marie Ikonomou (she/her), Caleb Jago-Ward (he/him), Jerome Javier (he/him), Giorgia Kennedy (she/her), Coby Njoroge (he/him), Noah Mullins (he/him), Isabella Roberts (she/her), Trevor Santos (he/him), Mon Vergara (they/them), Romy Vuksan (she/her) and Imani Williams (she/her).
The explosive production is directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Waitress, Pippin), Movement Direction and Choreography is by Olivier Award winner Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui with Music Supervision, Orchestrations and arrangements by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Kitt.
Released on June 13, 1995, the tremendous success of Alanis Morissette’s album Jagged Little Pill skyrocketed her to become the bestselling international debut artist in history; a title she still holds, with the record’s sales reaching 33 million copies worldwide winning 5 Grammy Awards. Now, 25 years after its release, Jagged Little Pill continues to be one of the Top 20 Best-Selling Albums of All Time. In Australia, the album has sold in excess of one million albums, is certified 2 x Diamond, spent 10 weeks at #1 and was the highest selling album in 1996. With 10 eclectic and acclaimed albums released over the subsequent years, Morissette’s music has garnered 7 Grammy Awards (with 14 nominations), a Golden Globe nomination, and total sales of over 60 million albums.
The story of Jagged Little Pill centres around The Healys, a seemingly perfect suburban family striving to hide the cracks beneath the surface when a troubling event shakes their community. Using themes and emotions in the original album, the musical embraces today’s powerful social voice and burns with passion in its uplifting storytelling, ultimately highlighting the hope and healing that comes when people come together.
Jagged Little Pill opened on Broadway in December 2019 following its record-breaking, sold-out world premiere at the American Repertory Theater. Fans and critics were unapologetic with their love for the musical and of course were devastated when the show had to shut down due to Covid 19 restrictions 3 months into its Broadway season. Its success though has not been halted with a 2021 Grammy Award win for the Best Musical Theatre Album released through Atlantic Records and then scooping the pool with 15 Tony Award nominations including Best Musical, Best Director, Best Book and Best Choreography making it the production with the highest number of Tony Award nominations for this season. Broadway just announced its reopening and audiences once again are embracing Jagged Little Pill with tickets sales reaching daily records as it hurtles towards its return to the stage.
“Alanis Morissette’s anthems are now for the ages. Visually interpreted in Jagged Little Pill with an ABSORBING INTIMACY AND INGENUITY, THEY REACH DOWN TO OUR DEEPEST, RAWEST SELVES. REGARDLESS OF WHO WE ARE."
Photo Jagged Little Pill Australia 2021 - Full cast - credit Daniel Boud
