Jagged Little Pill preview thread- Page 6

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 3:44pm

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. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 6:16pm

To me there was just no momentum because there’s no way to tell where the show is going. There’s no driving force. It feels like 10 stand alone songs.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 12:31am

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

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 1:21am

Saw the show last night and came out mixed. 

Is it a good show? Well yes, there is a really good show in there. The cast is talented from top to bottom. I did not find Klena's talents to be "wasted".  His voice is fabulous. Bella's story line definitely involves/affects the main family. It is her story line that I think does not pack as much of a punch, at this point, as it may have when the show was written and done in Boston. It is not as much of a hot button issue as it was a year or two ago. And that is actually sad. It is an important issue..

 

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My explanation for that is that the Me Too movement as not as in the forefront of the news. Although there are still cases going on and people being charged and accused, it is now more of a passing story. So for the show to really feature this in the second half unfortunately felt a little late. On the flip side, it could be looked at as a reminder. Just my opinion.

I was sitting 3rd row center left second seat in from the aisle in the Mezz. Perfect view (except the person in front of me blocked whatever happened front and center edge of the stage since the stage juts out a bit. But I think there were only two not really important things that happened) . Unfortunately, as mentioned here, the sound was really muddled during the ensemble numbers and the band was overpowering a lot of times. Something I hope they fix during previews. I also feel that the band did not need to appear onstage during the show. Maybe for the final song and walkout would have been fine.

I was expecting some really weird choreography but I actually liked it. However, there were times it just wasn't needed. It was used to some good effect at times. Most notably during "Uninvited". That was so beautifully done. I also enjoyed what they did with the recreation of the party. Another beautiful segment was the backwards scene. Loved it.

I think qobinau is correct with the comments on it being "lite". This is Alanis Morrisette's music that they are doing. Mr. Kitt's arrangements and orchestrations take the edge off of most of the songs. They were fine for the slower ones but I feel that with the story lines in this show (All of which I had no problem with or following) that instrumental edge should have been there. By the time Mary Jane sang "Forgiven" we should have felt rattled. More edgy guitars. And missing was the harmonica, which was a signature sound on the Jagged Little Pill album. It felt as if tempos were also changed and some songs are not done in there entirety. Fix this and the show, especially Act I could be electrifying. There are also some lyric changes, which were fine.

And speaking of electrifying, Lauren Patten sings the beJesus out of "You Oughta Know". The one moment the show lets loose. She got a partial standing ovation and she deserved it. It woke us up. Even with the ensemble onstage it was electrifying. I wished, afterwards, that they had left the stage for he to deliver the final part of the song alone onstage. I loved her performance throughout and her body language from that certain point in the show showed her building rage and she just cut loose and let it all go during the song. I was an instant fan and can't wait to see her in another show.

I doubt that the things I feel need to change will. And actually they can leave everything intact book wise and just put that edge in and it would be really fantastic.I don't think there was "too much" going on. It is a story about a dysfunctional family and what is happening in each of their lives. It is clearly told and not confusing at all.

I am glad I saw it as it was very high on my list. Would I see it again? Yes.

JMO

Updated On: 11/15/19 at 01:21 AM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 1:37am

Less ensemble. Less band. But given Waitress that won’t happen.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 1:42am

I did not see WAITRESS so don't know what you are referring to.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the songs fit well into the story line.

[IAMREADING]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 11:14am

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]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 11:43am

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? 

[IAMREADING]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 12:23pm

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

[perfectliar]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 1:01pm

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

A trans non-binary person does not identify as the sex they were assigned at birth, nor do they identify as strictly male or female (or transman or transwoman).

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 1:18pm

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?

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 5:25pm

The stage is pretty wide open. I would think you would be fine on the sides. Most of the action takes place center stage. Not sure if speakers would obstruct your view but I remember thinking the view is probably good from almost anywhere in the house.

[SGarrett2]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 10:51pm

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.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 10:59pm

I was below in the orchestra extreme right and it looks partial view but I saw everything

[Chowd95]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 11:22pm

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. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 11/13/19 at 11:49pm

As a huge fan of Alanis, I was incredibly excited for this, though my expectations were more in check after comments from this thread. Alanis made the album of a generation and I was so excited to see it on stage.

This was horrendous. Completely unsalvageable and a complete embarrassment. The songs are shoehorned into the show in such a way that most make no sense and I would argue that even Mamma Mia! did it better.

The cast has nothing to work with, so I won’t fault any of them. The only standout to me was the guy who played Phoenix. He had great stage presence.

I do not believe that the “standing ovation” for You Outta Know was sincere, at least not this afternoon. Two people in the center orchestra leapt to their feet the second the song ended. People applauded, the cast held for a LONG time and then maybe 15 others eventually followed suit. It was a bizarre moment for sure.

It is the worst kind of Lifetime movie of the week. It consistently is banging you over the head and acts like it’s audience is stupid. The protest scene was laughable.

I’m so angry that this turned out the way it did. It should have been great, but instead I was given a horribly written after school special. Just embarrassing.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 9:00am

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.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 9:53am

Would anyone care to comment on Center Orchestra Row N vs. Center Front Mezzanine Row A?

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 10:07am

I’d vote front mezz always. I hate being under the overhang.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 10:16am

SouthernCakes said: "I’d vote front mezz always. I hate being under the overhang. "

Thanks for the input. Is there anything going on up high, near the top of the proscenium, that would be obscured by the mezz overhang?

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 10:16am

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)

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 10:18am

Nope! Nothing going on! But the stage is frenetic and I think maybe sitting up top might give you a better overall view! But either would be fine. It’s all played very center.

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 10:21am

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

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 10:27am

I wrote after seeing the show last year that for me, being one of the biggest fans of Alanis that you'll probably ever meet, the show was even more of a disappointment than I could have imagined. The fact that only wanted to use songs from that album (with a few others thrown in) hurt them so much. I can still think of a dozen other songs from other albums that would have worked better, even if they wanted to keep the same basic story structure. 
I'm seeing it again next week for the first time on Broadway but it obviously sounds like nothing has changed at all. It's such a shame. Alanis and her catalog deserve much much better. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/14/19 at 10:30am

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