Alanis Morissette’s music is utterly iconic. Giving off post-grunge and alternative rock vibes, it’s the kind of music you blast in the car while you sing at the top of your lungs. For me, her music taps into pent up emotions and really brings out my inner teenage self (it’s not a phase, mom!) With such epochal music, it’s no surprise that her most famous album is now a Broadway production. And just like listening to the album, get ready for JAGGED LITTLE PILL to take you on an emotional rollercoaster.  

In JAGGED LITTLE PILL, we meet the Healys, your typical suburban family. Mom, Mary Jane, or MJ, is always concerned with maintaining a picture-perfect appearance but behind closed doors, things are far from it. Her husband, Steve, works long hours. MJ often butts heads with her adoptive daughter, Frankie. The only thing MJ thinks she’s “done right” is raising her son Nick, who now feels the pressures to be perfect. On top of all of this, MJ has developed a pill killer addiction due to a car accident earlier in the year. Things take a turn when one of Nick’s friends, Bella, is sexually assaulted at a party and we witness the family unravel.  

As you can see, JAGGED LITTLE PILL deals with some intense and heavy subject matter, but it is subject matter that is important to cover. For this show to succeed, you need actors that fully embrace these hard realities – and the cast did not disappoint. I cannot emphasize enough how amazing Julie Reiber (Mary Jane Healy, MJ) is. Witnessing her character slowly become more erratic and desperate while still maintaining a bit of sarcasm and humor is astounding. Her character and the development she is a reminder that drug addiction doesn’t have a look and anyone can fall prey to it. 

When looking at performances, I am thrilled I got to witness Allison Sheppard (Bella) in person. Taking on something so powerful and emotionally draining is no small feat and Allison gave the performance of a lifetime. When her character asks Mary Jane, “When does it get better? When will I feel normal again?” while she is dealing with the aftermath of her assault, the tears start rolling. In addition to her acting, Allison’s voice is captivating, and she put so much emotion into each song she sang. 

JAGGED LITTLE PILL is a powerhouse of a show with unbelievable performances you don’t want to miss. The show challenges us to stand against passivity and remind us how imperfectly perfect the human experience is. JAGGED LITTLE PILL is playing now through January 7 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. Learn more here.