Broadway's 'Jagged Little Pill' Shutters For Good Amid COVID-19 Surge

Theatergoers got a disheartening reality check this week when producers of Broadways Jagged Little Pill announced that the hit musical would not reopen following several scrapped performances.

In a statement issued Monday, producers Vivek J. Tiwary, Arvind Ethan David and Eva Price cited the rapidly spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus as the reason for the shows sudden closure.

We are dismayed by what appears to be another substantial public health crisis, and due to the detection of multiple positive COVID-19 cases within the company need to prioritize the health and safety of the cast, crew, and entire team working on Jagged Little Pill, they said. In light of the extreme uncertainty ahead of us this winter, and forced to choose between continuing performances and protecting our company, weve made the difficult decision to close our doors.

JAGGED LITTLE PILL played its final Broadway performance on December 17, 2021. For the tremendous honor and privilege of sharing this incredible experience - thank u. pic.twitter.com/oTyW5fIHqW

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JAGGED LITTLE PILL played its final Broadway performance on December 17, 2021. For the tremendous honor and privilege of sharing this incredible experience - thank u. pic.twitter.com/oTyW5fIHqW
Jagged Little Pill (@jaggedmusical) December 21, 2021

Jagged Little Pill, which opened on Broadway in 2019, uses songs from Alanis Morissettes 1995 album of the same name to relay a 21st century parable about mental health, sexuality, racism and addiction. The show earned glowing reviews and went on to receive 15 Tony Award nominations , winning two.

The musical had been dark since Friday, when producers said a limited number of cast members within the company had tested positive for COVID-19. Performances were initially set to resume on Tuesday.

The announcement makes Jagged Little Pill the first major Broadway casualty of the omicron surge. In November, the comedy Chicken & Biscuits also closed early due to COVID-19, and last week, the Radio City Rockettes scrapped the remainder of their Christmas performances after multiple company members tested positive. Shows such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Aladdin have also announced Christmas week cancellations, but theyre set to return later this month.

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