Theater Review: 'Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill' by City Stage Company

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

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The Waterbury-based City Stage Company is presenting the CT premiere of “Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill The Musical” on the stage at Crosby High School through next weekend. Executive Director and Founder Shelby C. Davis directs this musical that the company appreciates not only for its “powerful score and compelling storytelling, but because its themes resonate within our own community.

This is a jukebox musical with a book by Diablo Cody and plenty of music by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, lyrics by Morissette, with some additional music by Michael Farrell and Guy Sigsworth. The show was “inspired” by the 1995 album of the same name by Morissette and authentically deals with pain, healing, and empowerment. In addition to well-known songs from the show's namesake album, the musical version also includes other songs from Morissette's catalog and two pieces that she wrote especially for the musical, "Smiling" and "Predator."

The musical version premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2018, and was directed by Diane Paulus. It then began previews on Broadway in November 2019, but was forced to close due to the pandemic. When it reopened in October of 2021, it closed soon after. Musical direction was by Bryan Perri.

“Set in a suburban environment that mirrors so many Connecticut neighborhoods, this musical invites us to take a closer look at the complexities of modern family life, identity, mental health and the search for connection in an ever changing world.” The musical tells the story of how the Healys, a seemingly perfect white Connecticut family with an adopted Black daughter, begins to unravel when faced with issues of repressed gender identity, sexual assault, religion and substance abuse.

The talented cast worked together to approach this story with honesty, care and lots of courage. This is an intense story with lots of layers. In fact, a few of the early critics felt that the show tried to do too much, juggling multiple subplots and themes, and making it feel overstuffed and even overwhelming. I can see their point, although I disagree with those who called it overly familiar in its plot.

Sonya Stemmer makes her City Stage debut by bravely tackling the role of MJ Healy, the wife and mother that drives the story. This role was played by Idina Menzel in a 2017 staged reading and the talented Heidi Blickinstaff was a Broadway replacement, so no pressure. Stemmer does well with the arc of her character that buries many secrets.

David Finessi, a CT-based performer who plays guitar, portrays the husband that is not often at home. Noah Gomez returns to this company to play the only son of the couple, Nick Healy, and sings very well. Yamnkela Jack Lutz gives a strong performance as the adopted daughter of the couple, Frankie Healy. Lutz has the big voice to perform the songs of her character.

Grace Persaud, in her second production with the company, portrays the high school student Bella Fox. Persaud works as the Student Assistant in the Naugatuck Valley Music Dept. Olivia Grasso plays another high schooler, Jo Taylor, who was originally written as non-binary. Grasso is a high school senior who has credits with Newtown Stage Company and Fairfield Center Stage.

WAMS student Geno Bascetta, who appeared as Link Larkin in City Stage’s “Hairspray,” takes on the role of the high school student Phoenix. Bascetta credits his mother for introducing him to Alanis Morissette and sings so very well in this supporting role. CT State Naugatuck Valley student Daniel Saed plays Andrew.

Ensemble member and dance captain Chase Malachi Williams plays Dr. Gardner and Danni, and understudies the role of Phoenix. Josh Brooks (“Legally Blonde”) steps up to play Lancer and a yoga instructor. Alyssa “Ally” Brown plays Angie, Jaymie Bianca portrays Denise and Grace Sevelowitz, 19, plays Phoebe.

WCSU rising senior Jack Stemmer, Brie Coggins, and Donovan Wade round out the ensemble.

Davis led this production with the New York-based performer Janina Rosa as associate director and choreographer. Loren Pelosi worked as the stage manager of the mostly young cast and CYT board member Jacob Lee was in charge of the intimacy coordination. Millie Soto is the show’s producer.

Angela Jackson stepped up to take on the role of music director when two others dropped out. Jackson’s credits include “Sister Act” for City Youth Theatre, as well as “Sondheim on Sondheim” and “Escape to Margaritaville” with Connecticut Theatre Company in New Britain. The music director leads the orchestra onstage from behind her piano and they made the Morissette compositions sound fabulous. Among the musicians are Meric Martin on guitar one and Chris Hetherington on bass. As expected, the performers sing “Hand in My Pocket,” “Head Over Feet,” “You Learn” and “You Learn,” and many more of Morissette compositions.

Corrie Aldrich provided the technical direction. Unfortunately, the Crosby auditorium offers some technical challenges, with sound topping the list. I had difficulty understanding far too many of the lines and lyrics, making it difficult to follow the details of the story. Reading a summary of the plot online after the fact filled in many of the blanks. Costumes by Leah Marie (“Legally Blonde”) set the contemporary tone and Davis designed the necessary set changes. There are some great projections and one video of the family outside a suburban home.

The musical is presented with one intermission. Remaining performances are Friday, June 19 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, June 20 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, June 21 at 2:00 PM. Crosby High School is located at 300 Pierpont Road in Waterbury. Tickets: https://cytcsc.ludus.com/index.php

Up next at City Stage Company is “The Bodyguard The Musical” in August.