Assessment: ‘Jagged Minor Pill’ is extra than just ’90s nostalgia

The new Gen-X jukebox musical “Jagged Tiny Pill” goes down very uncomplicated if you just cannot get more than enough of the sweet nectar of ‘90s nostalgia.

For these of us who had Alanis Morissette as the soundtrack of our life for a when there, the audio however strikes a deep chord. You can close your eyes and hum alongside to 13 classics from the album that gives this display its title, as properly as other individuals from the singer-songwriter’s catalogue, and briefly fake the previous several many years did not seriously occur. (Specifically the very last several yrs, am I right?)

Even greater, the e book by Diablo Cody (“Juno”) blends the tender and the tart to generally wryly notice the frenetic pulse of American family members daily life in the social media age.

Mary Jane (Heidi Blickenstaff) is a capsule-popping remain-at-dwelling mom obsessed with incredibly hot yoga and Soul Cycle. Steve (Chris Hoch), the significant-driven law firm father, is addicted to on the web porn. Harvard-bound teenager Nick (Dillon Klena), is cracking at the seams though his adopted very little sister Frankie (Lauren Chanel) explores her race and sexuality.

Think “American Idiot” satisfies “Dear Evan Hansen,” only way significantly less edgy and significantly additional privileged.

At times the melodramatic tone feels forced, inspite of Diane Paulus’ eager route. Themes of gender oppression, teenager anguish, middle age existentialism and sexual assault trauma unquestionably deserve a further dive than they get here.

It is also challenging not to pine for Morrissette’s unique voice. Some of the orchestrations flatten out the sharpness of the songs much too a great deal.

Nonetheless there’s unquestionably plenty of quirky charm to be located onstage.

Anthemic tracks such as “You Oughta Know” shake the rafters and “Isn’t it Ironic?” is a real charmer, reinvented as an earnest high school poem that prompts several jokes about the author’s misuse of the term “Ironic.” It all sales opportunities to a meet-lovable scene in between Frankie and Phoenix (Rishi Golani) that’s fairly incredibly truly lovable.

For her element, Jade McLeod rivets as Frankie’s girlfriend Jo, offering legendary tunes like “You Oughta Know,” often channeling that intense Alanis vibe.

These authentic times of raw emotion maintain this show from seeming like an angsty rehash of suburban satire tropes from “American Beauty” to “Next to Normal.” If the choreography and the plot twists get a very little as well on-the-nose, and the seem technique is a bit muddy at situations, the banter is reliably contemporary and amusing.

And there is no question that hunting again on the ‘90s, that signature Alanis audio, comprehensive with screeches and rasps and wails, is positively soothing for some of us.

Get hold of Karen D’ Souza at karenpdsouza@yahoo.com.

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‘JAGGED Minor PILL’

Ebook by Diablo Cody, Tunes by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, offered by BroadwaySF

By means of: Nov. 6

In which: Golden Gate Theater, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco

Managing time: 2 several hours 45 minutes, one particular intermission

Information: $66-$157.50 (matter to alter) www.broadwaysf.com