Jagged Little Pill preview thread — Page 6

Jarethan said: "Before reading this feedback, I didn’t think I’d like this show...I don’t love the album (I have always liked it, but only listened to it rarely), and it sounded so busy and dreary, based on reviews I read in Boston. After reading these posts, I don’t think I’d see this if I was offered free premium seats...even free, why waste a slot. I wonder if the will be the average (Not obsessed with the album) theatregoer’s view after the reviews come out?



"

The average theatregoer most likely doesn't read these boards or reviews. I'm far from the average theatregoer and I couldn't give 2 figs on what people think about the show and don't read reviews. I have my own brain and can form my own opinions.

Is it better for a show to have too many ideas, or too little?

That's the question you'll need to answer for yourself to decide how you'll feel about Jagged Little Pill (at least, in its current state, previews may vary).

Ultimately, I would side with the former, as it does most of them very well - they just don't all fit together like they should. Diablo Cody's book is witty and resonant without being melodramatic, the music is of course great, and the dancing is phenomenal. On the flip side, the structure of the show is disastrous, the music cuts in and out jarringly, and there is simply too much frenetic movement happening too often.

The talent on stage is undoubtable, and their intentions are admirable. Diane Paulus can make some very easy fixes by cutting the ensemble throughout 2 or 3 Act 1 numbers and instantly make the show feel more grounded and open. The narrative structure is largely unfixable at this point, it's too twisted. Small changes like lessening the son's involvement with the B plot could be done quickly, too. Overall, I'm glad it's making a lot of money, because it's absolutely one of the best jukebox musicals I've seen. It'll play forever regionally, and I'm sure a national tour will sell well on name recognition alone.

The biggest flaw to me is projections are downright hideous. I cannot believe a creative and producing team as esteemed and experienced as this has not fired or cut them. The 4 roving panels offer some nice moments of scene transitions, but imagining the show without them feels refreshing.

I do recommend it. Sure, it's like 13 Reasons Why: The Musical, but it's a fun binge and the music/performances are stellar. It won't win the Pulitzer, but it's Hamilton compared to a similar crowd pleaser like Beetlejuice. The show (as of today) is running about 2:40. Act 1 ended at 9:20, so it's a normal length - it's act 2 that runs long, although it's more enjoyable than Act 1 imo.

Updated On: 11/13/19 at 12:31 AM

mailhandler777 said: "broadwaynerdnewbie said: "Kitsune said: "Can someone confirm whether Jo is still non-binary and uses they pronouns in this version? (I'd heard rumors otherwise).

I saw JLP at ART. I know it has its flaws, but I really liked it regardless. Chalk it up to growing up in the 90s "

As far as I can tell they scrapped Jo being nonbinary. They make veiled hints at it but they don't come out and explicitly say she's non binary which may have to do with the backlash they got from fans with the Patten casting in ghat type of role.

"

Jo never was non binary in the ART version. Lauren played Jo as someone figuring themselves out and literally haslines"I'm figuring it out" "no one really knows who they are anyway".



Lauren identified as gender non conforming at the time and played the role that way. She still does on Broadway.



When Ezra goes on I'm sure Jo will be played different because Ezra is indeed non binary trans."



I'm confused to read that the character was maybe alluding to be non-binary when I have read many twitter takes referring to the show as "transphobic" and calling for patton to step down because the show changed her character to cis instead of hiring a trans actor.

"Ezra is indeed non binary trans" how can you be non-binary and trans?

mailhandler777 said: "IAMREADING said: "mailhandler777 said: "broadwaynerdnewbie said: "Kitsune said: "Can someone confirm whether Jo is still non-binary and uses they pronouns in this version? (I'd heard rumors otherwise).

I saw JLP at ART. I know it has its flaws, but I really liked it regardless. Chalk it up to growing up in the 90s "

As far as I can tell they scrapped Jo being nonbinary. They make veiled hints at it but they don't come out and explicitly say she's non binary which may have to do with the backlash they got from fans with the Patten casting in ghat type of role.

"

Jo never was non binary in the ART version. Lauren played Jo as someone figuring themselves out and literally haslines"I'm figuring it out" "no one really knows who they are anyway".



Lauren identified as gender non conforming at the time and played the role that way. She still does on Broadway.



When Ezra goes on I'm sure Jo will be played different because Ezra is indeed non binary trans."



I'm confused to read that the character was maybe alluding to be non-binary when I have read many twitter takes referring to the show as "transphobic" and calling for patton to step down because the show changed her character to cis instead of hiring a trans actor.

"Ezra is indeed non binary trans"how can you be non-binary and trans?"

Those people on Twitter never even saw the show. I see Jo as being Gender Non Conforming queer as Lauren herself identifies as.

Why even question how Ezra identifies?"

oh wow yea i see i was all wrong as i didn’t realize lauren was gender non conforming! you’re right no reason to ask about nb trans, my bad.

Updated On: 11/13/19 at 12:23 PM

Got a friends/family discount for JLP previews- but the show is selling pretty well considering how few seats are available in the coming weeks.

Has anyone sat extreme left or extreme right in the front mezz? Curious how poor a view it is (Broadhurst is generally excellent, especially from the mezzanine) or if one side is better than the other?

JDonaghy4 said: "Got a friends/family discount for JLP previews- but the show is selling pretty well considering how few seats are available in the coming weeks.

Has anyone sat extreme left or extreme right in the front mezz? Curious how poor a view it is (Broadhurst is generally excellent, especially from the mezzanine) or if one side is better than the other?"

I sat far right in row A of the mezz. Small issues viewing the thrust center stage but overall good views throughout the entire show.

JDonaghy4 said: "Got a friends/family discount for JLP previews- but the show is selling pretty well considering how few seats are available in the coming weeks.

Has anyone sat extreme left or extreme right in the front mezz? Curious how poor a view it is (Broadhurst is generally excellent, especially from the mezzanine) or if one side is better than the other?"

I sat in the very left of center mezzanine so I'm not sure what all the way over would look like. The stage for this show is huge and there aren't any big set pieces (mostly moving panels that frame the action center stage) that would block your view.

I think n2nbaby's report is very compelling, since it's the take of a Morissette fan. Much has been made here about the rock genre's acolytes as the target audience vs some vague demographic not predisposed (I think we're past those "youth music" designations, and have been for decades; but another topic). This post, from a Morisette devotee, mirrors many of ours. The songs might've worked better in a song cycle, framed by conceptual context(s) rather than a book proper. This shoe-horning angle invites the sense of strain. I'm intrigued that so little work is being done in previews. The show was clearly semi-frozen in rehearsal, and they're fine with both the run time and the layering of so much digression.

To answer another post: I sat in Mezz row F 5, house left; a great seat in the Broadhurst. Don't avoid the sides, particularly when they place you so close to the action. Almost everything is played down center, by the way. 90% of the action.

Havent seen JLP (hence the question about side mezz- thanks all, going Tues night Row E extreme right) but the Broadhurst mezzanine is great, and I would definitely choose a good front mezz seat over orchestra. I saw Streetcar there a few years ago from center mezz D and felt like i was on stage. (why hasnt nicole ari parker done much broadway since? i thought she was phenomenal- they all were)

Thanks folks! How is the leg room in center front mezz?

It does kind of make you wonder what they did for a year?