Jagged Little Pill: The Musical?- Page 3

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:04pm

I didn't say the American public and their perceptions made sense, did I?

Where did I say that?

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:06pm

Lyric's to "Ironic" ... a happy song?

An old man turned 98
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your c****nay
It's a death row pardon, two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic? Don't you think?

It's like rain, on your wedding day
It's a free ride, when you've already paid
It's the good advice, that you just didn't take
And who would've thought it figures?

Mr. Play-It-Safe, was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life, to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought, "Well, isn't this nice"?
And isn't it ironic? Don't you think?

It's like rain, on your wedding day
It's a free ride, when you've already paid
It's the good advice, that you just didn't take
And who would've thought it figures?

Well, life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out
When you think everything's gone wrong
And everything blows up in your face

A traffic jam, when you're already late
A no smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons, when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams, and then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic? Don't you think?
A little too ironic? Yeah, I really do think

It's like rain, on your wedding day
It's a free ride, when you've already paid
It's the good advice, that you just didn't take
And who would've thought it figures?

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
And life has a funny, funny way, of helping you out
Helping you out

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

---

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:07pm

"Yes, but she IS forever identified.

So, the "tricky" part (as I originally said) will be to convince others that the mellower Morrissette material is just as interesting and relevant. It will be necessary in a stage musical with a storyline, too."

I see what you're saying. I think we weren't on the same page. Yes, she will always be identified with that one song that came out almost 20 years ago, even if that's not at all who she is or ever was. But I understand what you're saying. And I've heard her discuss anger and that perception in depth over the years, both in person and on TV/online. I think I've read and listened to every word that's come out of her mouth since 1995. There is honest to God no other artist that I love and respect more than her.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:09pm

And yeah, "Ironic" (while maybe not "happy") is a very whimsical song. Just look at the video for it and you'll see her intent for it.

And I don't think there's been one of the dozens of concerts I've been to of hers that when she sings this song, the entire place doesn't light up with joy.






Ironic Updated On: 11/8/13 at 06:09 PM

[a-mad]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:12pm

^ (to best12bars) you never said they made sense... but is that what we're arguing? Does the American public have that narrow a view of one incredibly successful album with six big hits (including Ironic... which ironically (sorry) was a bigger hit than You Outta Know) that they would immediately think that a musical created from "Jagged Little Pill" is actually more like "You Outta Know - the Musical"?

Updated On: 11/8/13 at 06:12 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:14pm

Yes they would, a-mad. I agree with that.

When I tell people I went to an Alanis concert, I can't tell you how many people say "WHAT?! She's still making music?? The last thing I listened to was JAGGED LITTLE PILL!"

Since she hasn't had the success of Madonna or Gaga, the vast majority of people are unfamiliar with her work post 1998 and still think of that same 21 year old, heartbroken girl.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:16pm

Part of her genius with Ironic and the whimsical mood you mention is exactly what Burt Bacharach and Hal David did (believe it or not) with their pop hits in the '60s.

It's exactly what makes those songs so hard to stage theatrically.

You have Bacharach's breezy melodies set against David's bitter lyrics. If you don't have a singer who can balance the two (like Dionne), you are doomed. And god forbid you add "cute" or "slick" choreography to a song lyric like "Walk On By" or "Do You Know the Way To San Jose?"

You'll look like a damn fool. These are not easy songs to stage effectively in a dramatic context. You really have to read the lyrics AND feel the tone of the music, and sometimes they are at odds with each other. To me that's the genius, and that's also the (huge) challenge. They become their own text and subtext. Leave one out, and you screw it up.

Updated On: 11/8/13 at 06:16 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:18pm

Okay, so my post got deleted with the Ironic lyrics which are anything but happy.


So I'll link to them instead. But read them.

[a-mad]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:20pm

Arguments aside, I actually think if this thing happens that "You Outta Know" would make a killer 1st act closer...

It depends on if they make this autobiographical of Alanis or not... but I can see the 1st act leading you down the path of first success, first love, etc. then tearing it all down... then the 2nd act being about healing, redemption, blah blah blah

I'm oversimplifying it... but I think the breadth of songs on the album (and a few others outside JLP) could really lend themselves to some interesting dramatic elements that might transcend a "jukebox musical" label.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:21pm

You are 110% right. And that's why I hope they delve into her other albums for more songs that are better suited to move a book musical along.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:23pm

Bottom line: do I think it's material worth exploring? Absolutely!

But it's going to be a big challenge on its own terms, not to mention it will challenge the preconceptions and perceptions of the audience.

Updated On: 11/9/13 at 06:23 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:27pm

And I recommend that everyone who thinks You Oughta Know is the only angry, bitter, jaded, or ticked song on the album, re-read the lyrics.

You Learn, Ironic, All I Really Want etc.

Those were the big hits.

Far from happy songs.

Alanis lyrics (links to all)

Updated On: 11/9/13 at 06:27 PM

[a-mad]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:44pm

I'll reply one more time... then I'll be quiet.

If a song isn't "happy" does it have to be "angry, bitter or ticked"? Can it be somewhere in between? Yes, I'm familiar with the lyrics of those songs - and I wouldn't use any of those adjectives for the three you listed (and did I even use "happy" in any of my descriptions above?)

And you cannot use only lyrics in describing the mood and characteristic of a song. In these three cases (esp. You Learn and Ironic) the music is definitely not angry, bitter or ticked-sounding.

When Elphaba sings "I'm Not that Girl" she is probably angry, bitter or ticked (based on the lyrics) - but have you ever heard one person use those words to describe the song?

That said, there could very well be a big chunk of one act that is devoted to a bitter, angry, ticked part of "her" life (or however they want to dramatize it...) - I just think the music and lyrics of many of her other hits have the potential to create a final product that is not only bitter, angry and ticked...

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 6:47pm

Yes, I'm familiar with the lyrics of those songs - and I wouldn't use any of those adjectives for the three you listed

Really? Seriously? Not even if the word "anger" is actually in the lyrics?

Just a sample from "All I Really Want":

And all I really want is some patience
A way to calm the angry voice
And all I really want is deliverance
Ah, aao, aao, aao, aa, aah

[Chowd95]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 8:56pm

Who gives a flying **** if the songs are angry, happy, sad, bitter, joyful, or whatever??? They are just great songs. I know this is not a fair comparison, but Sweeney Todd has some of the angriest songs in all of theater, and it is probably the best show ever written.

Listen to a song like "Thank U", and end this stupid argument. :)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 9:13pm

I don't think anyone is arguing.

[Owen22]

Posted: 11/8/13 at 9:50pm

There are a COUPLE angry songs. A couple. But if in the right mood "Mary Jane" can bring me to tears. "Head Over Feet" is celebratory. "You Learn" is hopeful. There is sometimes almost feral anger, yes, but also forgiveness, questioning, learning; these songs have always seemed very humanistic to me. Perhaps sometimes, somewhat marginal humans...maybe the show could take place during a group therapy session in a psyche ward?

[Melissa25]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 8:25am

Interesting comments. I am excited about this project and will definitely buy advanced tickets for it because the material is so good. I am reminded about a long-time regret I have for not seeing Diane Paulus' "Eli's Comin'." That show was inspired by great Laura Nyro songs. Judy Kuhn, Mandy Gonzalez, Anika Noni Rose and Ronnell Bey all won Obies. What performers do you see interpreting Morissette's songs?

I just finished watching the video teaser on BWW about the upcoming Sondheim/Marsalis "A Bed and a Chair." I am very curious to see how the Sondheim songs are reinterpreted and pieced together for a coherent story. Each character gets a shadow dancer. Artistically this sounds very intriguing. Can't wait!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 1:26pm

"I know this is not a fair comparison, but Sweeney Todd has some of the angriest songs in all of theater, and it is probably the best show ever written. "

Sweeney also puts those angry songs into the context of a Grand Guignol, near-operatic world. The tone is wildly different than what I would expect from a musical from Alanis (who I do think produced a brilliant album in Jagged Little Pill). I would actually say Follies would be a more apt comparison in terms of tone of the songs. That show is full of bitter, jaded, angry people (in a somewhat more realistic and relatable setting than Sweeney) and we've seen that a large majority of audiences do indeed have a hard time connecting with those characters.

I wish them luck with this project and will be interested to see how it develops.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 2:18pm

I quite like the song Ironic although its been pointed out over the years that none of the situations in the song are ironic. The comedian Ed Bryne managed to dissect it it quite well:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT1TVSTkAXg

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 7:02pm

I hope this actually comes to fruition. I can't wait.

I'll be in the Front Row...not with popcorn, though.


P.S. Best, your Ironic lyrics weren't deleted!

[Lousy]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 7:33pm

This doesn't interest me in the slightest but hey, there's clearly an audience for it.
Good luck to it.

[sephyr]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 7:47pm

I am so excited for this! She really writes some great material that is honest and meaty. I loved Jagged Little Pill but I loved the second album even more! I feel she has grown completely and I think these songs would be great on stage.

I would also like her to use songs like This Grudge, That Particular Time, Tapes, The Couch (one of her most theatrical songs ever!), Are You Still Mad, Uninvited, and You Owe Me Nothing In Return. I love her writing style.

[Popular]

Posted: 11/9/13 at 9:05pm

I'd be in the frooooont roow, the frooont row with pop cooooorn
I'd have to see this, see thiiiis clooooose uuuuup
(That's for the true fans!)

Updated On: 11/9/13 at 09:05 PM

[Chowd95]

Posted: 11/10/13 at 12:38am

Agree with the Follies comparison, was just trying to point out that not every musical (actually most if you think about it) are comprised of shiny happy songs. I wore this CD out in college, hard to believe it's been almost twenty years. It still sounds as brilliant as ever today.