Producers Vivek J. Tiwary, Arvind Ethan David, Eva Price, Howard Panter for Trafalgar Entertainment and Torben Brookman for GWB Entertainment are thrilled to announce that the Australian tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL – the 15-time Tony Award nominated Broadway musical, inspired by the ground-breaking album of the same name by Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette, will now premiere in Sydney, opening Theatre Royal Sydney on 2 December for an exclusive limited season.
“We are thrilled to be reopening the magnificent newly refurbished Theatre Royal Sydney with JAGGED LITTLE PILL. An exceptional new musical for an exceptional reborn world class theatre.” said Sir Howard Panter, Joint CEO Trafalgar Entertainment Group.
As previously announced the original Sydney season was postponed due to COVID 19 restrictions and original ticket holders will be notified directly regarding the new rescheduled performance dates in December.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte will star in the Australian production of JAGGED LITTLE PILL in the lead role of Mary Jane Healy, the perfectly imperfect mother, she has it altogether on the outside but is achingly fragile on the inside, learning to navigate her own struggles but also safeguarding her and her family’s needs for healing.
Natalie is one of Australia’s most awarded and beloved entertainers, having developed a rich career as an actor, musician and TV presenter. She was most recently seen on Australian stage in her critically acclaimed performance as Roxy Hart in Chicago.
After commencing her career in musical theatre productions such as Rent, Grease and Footloose, the multiple Logie Award nominee also has vast acting credits including her successful long run in Neighbours and is about to star in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis playing a young Elvis’ Stepmother alongside Tom Hanks.
Natalie has appeared as host and judge on a variety of TV talent programs in Australia and New Zealand and as the front woman for Australian pop dance group The Rogue Traders she went on to dominate the pop music charts before releasing her solo album which debuted at Number 1 on the ARIA charts.
“I am beyond excited and privileged to be part of this incredible show. I have such admiration for the key creative team in Alanis, Diablo and Diane who have created a show full of heart, courage, determination, and a vulnerability which I am looking forward to bringing to the role of MJ,” said Bassingthwaighte.
“I was a huge Alanis fan and of the album as a young adult, a time where I was discovering what sort of person I wanted to become, and I can’t wait to be able to tell this story on stage through the incredible music and lyrics entertaining audiences but also filling them with hopeful inspiration.”
This news in Australia comes as the prestigious Tony Awards were handed out on Broadway earlier today, where JAGGED LITTLE PILL was the most nominated show with a total of 15 nominations, winning two: Best Book of a Musical (Diablo Cody) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Lauren Patten).
Tickets sales in New York are reaching daily records as it hurtles towards its return to the stage. Sydney audiences will be the first outside of Broadway to experience this electrifying and inspiring production from December as it plays an exclusive limited season at the Theatre Royal Sydney.”
“To be able to announce the Australian Premiere in the same week as our Broadway company is nominated for 15 Tony awards including Best Musical is a source of intense pride and joy. We are honoured to have the luminous Natalie Bassingthwaighte in the lead role of Mary Jane Healy,” said lead producer Arvind Ethan David.
“The world and Covid-19 have not made things easy, but we know that our endlessly resourceful and tenacious partners Trafalgar Entertainment have assembled an extraordinary cast and team and we can’t wait to reopen the historic Theatre Royal Sydney and show Australian audiences the uncompromising power of JAGGED LITTLE PILL.”
Further casting for the Australian production will be announced shortly. The opening of the refurbished Theatre Royal with the exhilarating production JAGGED LITTLE PILL would signal a major milestone for Sydney.
“Sydney is coming back with a bang, opening this fantastic, reimagined venue with the first production of JAGGED LITTLE PILL outside of Broadway,” said NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin.
“This is sure to be an incredible show, drawing on one of the greatest albums of our time, and fans will be in for an unforgettable night out. It’s the first of many great productions for the Royal that’ll bring nightlife back into the centre of our great city.”
JAGGED LITTLE PILL plays the Theatre Royal Sydney from 2 December 2021. Tickets for the exclusive limited season are now on sale. For more information, visit: www.jaggedmusical.com for details.
Image: Natalie Bassingthwaighte in New York – photo by Evan Zimmerman