>> TONIGHT ON GREATER BOSTON, MONTANA BANDS TIKTOK.

THE COMPANY, ITS USERS ALL PLEDGE TO FIGHT BACK.

WE DIG INTO THE CAN TIERED -- CONCERNS, AND STAND UP TO LEGAL SCRUTINY.

JUST IN TIME FOR THE PROM SEASON, THE MUSICAL IS HITTING THE STAGE.

TWO STARS PLAYING OVER THE TOP ONES DRAWING ME AHEAD.

♪ >> MONTANA GOVERNOR GREG G AND FOUR TO PROMISING TO DEFEND HIS STATE AGAINST WHAT HE CALLS SECURITY, PRIVACY, AND WAY OF LIFE.

HIS TARGET, TIKTOK.

MONTANA BECAME THE FIRST STATE TO BAN THE CHINA-BASED SOCIAL MEDIA APP WITHIN ITS BORDERS.

IT IS UP TO TIKTOK OR ITS OWNERS TO REMOVE ITSELF FROM MONTANA OR FACE $10,000 A DAY FINDS IF IT OPERATES WITHIN THE STATE.

IT APPLIES TO MOBILE STORES THAT MAKE IT AVAILABLE.

TIKTOK HAS ALREADY BEEN BANNED ON FEDERAL DEVICES AND IN GOVERNMENT ISSUED TECHNOLOGY.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, A BAN AFFECTED WHAT AMERICANS CAN WATCH AND POST ON THEIR OWN PHONES.

IT IS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY.

IT IS ALREADY FACING A FLOOD OF BACKLASH.

INCLUDING FROM THE ACLU.

INCLUDING TRAMPLING ON FREE SPEECH AND INDICATED COURT CHALLENGES ARE ON THE WAY.

I'’M JOINED BY BRUCE SCHNEIER, FOR INTERNET AND SOCIETY, AND A LECTURER IN PUBLIC POLICY AT THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL.

AND DAN LYONS AT BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT THESE THREATS, WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE.

HOW LEGITIMATE ARE THE THREATS AND CONCERNS ABOUT HAVING TIKTOK ON THE PHONE?

>> A HARD QUESTION TO ANSWER.

TIKTOK IS SPYING ON ALL OF US LIKE EVERY OTHER INTERNET PLATFORM, FACEBOOK, GOOGLE, AMAZON.

THESE PROGRAMS ARE COLLECTING A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT LIKES AND DISLIKES.

YOU KNOW YOU NEVER LIED TO YOUR SEARCH ENGINE.

THESE ARE REAL CONCERNS WITH THE SURVEILLANCE BUSINESS MODEL ON THE INTERNET IN GENERAL AND NOT NECESSARILY TIKTOK IN PARTICULAR.

>> DOES IT MEAN IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER USER AGREEMENTS WE ARE SIGNING WITHOUT EVER LOOKING AT AND EXAMINING?

>> IT IS NO DIFFERENT.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS TIKTOK IS A CHINESE COMPANY.

ALL OF THESE COMPANIES RESPOND TO COURT ORDERS FROM COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.

TIKTOK BEING A CHINESE COMPANY, THE RISK IS SOMEHOW THE GOVERNMENT WILL USE IT AS A MASSIVE OPERATION.

THAT IS WORSE THAN THE U.S.

USING FACEBOOK DATA.

>> LET ME BRING YOU IN HERE AND THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS.

THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS IS IT LEGAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF DUTCH GOVERNOR OF MONTANA -- WE WILL NOT QUESTION WHETHER HE CAN SIGN THE BILL, BUT WHETHER HE CAN REMOVE IT FROM USER PHONES WITHIN THE MONTANA BORDERS.

>> PRETTY QUICKLY WE WILL SEE A FIRST AMENDMENT CHALLENGE.

THE BIG CONCERN IS HOW BROAD IT OPERATES.

GENERALLY WHAT WE CONSIDER A CONTENT NEUTRAL RESTRICTION, TIME PLACE OR MANNER RESTRICTION ON A USER SPEECH.

THE ORDER TO BE UPHELD, THE MONTANA CORE WILL SHOW IT IS SERVING AN IMPORTANT GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST AND IT IS NOT INFRINGING MORE SPEECH NECESSARY.

I THINK THE LATTER PART IS WHERE RUNS INTO TROUBLE.

THESE CONCERNS ABOUT PREVENTING THE INTELLIGENCE FROM GOING TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS.

THE FLAT BAN ON THE APP COMPLETELY INFRINGES FAR MORE SPEECH THAN NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL.

NOT JUST GETTING THE SENSITIVE INFORMATION, IT IS GETTING SEA SHANTIES AND JOKES, NONE OF WHICH HAVE ANY INTELLIGENCE VALUE.

>> DO WE EVEN MAKE IT TO THE JANUARY DEADLINE WHERE MONTANA WILL ENACT THIS, OR WILL COURT CHALLENGES RISE UP AND WILL THERE BE A SOLUTION?

>> I EXPECT A CASE TO BE FILED SHORTLY.

WHETHER WE GET TO JANUARY BEFORE THEN DEPENDS ON HOW THE COURT HANDLES THE CASE COMPARED TO OTHER ISSUES.

>> HOW DOES THIS WORK PRACTICALLY?

I'’M GOING TO MONTANA.

I DON'’T HAVE TIKTOK ON MY PHONE ANYWAY.

BUT WHAT I BE OBLIGATED TO HIDE IT?

WHAT IF I DID USE IT ON MY PHONE?

>> I DON'’T KNOW.

IT IS REALLY A PROBLEM.

THE PHONE IS NOT GOING TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.

TIKTOK IS NOT GOING TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE.

IT IS REALLY WHERE THIS FAILS.

WE CAN BAN FROM THE APP STORES, WE CAN IMAGINE APPLE NOT LETTING ANYONE DOWNLOAD FOR THE MONTANA ADDRESS.

IT DOESN'’T ADDRESS PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD ALREADY.

IT WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF WHEN YOU CROSS THE BORDER.

IF WE COULD, A LOT OF WAYS AROUND THAT KIND OF CENSORSHIP.

YOU CAN HAVE TIKTOK ON YOUR COMPUTER, ON THE WEBSITE, WHICH IS HARDER.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO ENFORCE.

PUTTING THE ONUS ON BYTEDANCE, WHO OWNS TIKTOK, BUT THERE IS NO REAL WAY FOR THEM TO ENFORCE IT.

IT FEELS I COULD DOUBLE BIND FOR THE COMPANY.

>> WHAT DO WE NEED -- THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE FOR THIS TO BE REMOVED FROM ALL GOVERNMENT DEVICES?

ARE THE GOVERNMENT PHONES MORE SUSCEPTIBLE?

WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE SPYING ON US.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEDERAL DEVICES AND OUR OWN?

>> THERE IS NOT.

THE CONCEIT IS IF CHINA IS USING THE PLATFORM TO SPY ON US, SPYING ON GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IS SOMEHOW WORSE.

IT IS EASIER TO ENFORCE.

YOU DEMAND EMPLOYEES DO IT AND THEY COMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE EMPLOYEES.

IT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN DEMANDING THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO ARE JUST REGULAR CITIZENS COMPLY .

THAT IS UNENFORCEABLE.

WE KNOW IT ABOUT INTERNET GAMBLING.

WE CANNOT BAN THAT ANYWHERE.

WE HAVE TRIED TO PLAY THIS GAME.

IT IS HARD.

WE CAN GET TO THE CONGRESS, WE BANNED FUNDING OF WHAT WE THINK OF AS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.

FINANCIAL COMPANIES CANNOT DO BUSINESS WITH TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU CAN IMAGINE A SIMILAR THING WITH TIKTOK.

YOU CANNOT PAY THEM MONEY, ADVERTISERS CANNOT ADVERTISE.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO THAT MIGHT PASS BETTER LEGAL TESTS.

>> AS WE HEAD DOWN THESE ROADS, ESPECIALLY AS AI IS DEVELOPING, AS OUR RELIANCE ON TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPING MORE, IS THE PRECEDENT SETTING, IS THERE ANY FOR THIS DECISION GOING FORWARD?

>> THE CLOSEST ANALOGY IS A DECISION FROM A FEW YEARS AGO THAT WAS A CASE WHERE THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA MADE A CONDITION ON CONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS AFTER THEY WERE RELEASED, THEY COULD NOT USE SOCIAL MEDIA APPLICATIONS.

THE IDEA WAS THERE WERE MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN RECIDIVISM AND SOCIAL MEDIA WAS A PLACE THEY COULD EASILY CONTACT MINORS.

THE COURT STRUCK IT DOWN RECOGNIZING THAT PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE IS AN IMPORTANT GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST.

THE COURT FOUND THE RESTRICTION ON SEX OFFENDERS WAS FAR TOO BROAD.

IT PREVENTED THEM NOT ONLY FROM CONTACTING MINORS, BUT ALSO JOB APPLICATIONS, NEWS SITES, TALKING WITH ADULT FRIENDS.

THE STATE TRIED TO ANALOGIZE IT TO THE ZONING RULES THEY PUT IN PLACE KEEPING SEX OFFENDERS AWAY FROM SCHOOLS OR PARKS.

THEY SAID IT IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST IMPLICATING GEOGRAPHIC MOVEMENTS, IT IS IMPLICATED IN.

THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE OFF-LINE ANALOGIES AND WHY THEY DO NOT MAP WELL.

>> BEFORE WE GO, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION LIKE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BEFORE IT IS SEEING IF THERE IS A WAY TO FORCE CHINA TO SELL THE COMPANY SO IT BECOMES A U.S. COMPANY THAT OFFERS TIKTOK.

IS IT POSSIBLE?

>> IN TERMS OF BUSINESS, POSSIBLY.

THAT DOES NOT STOP TIKTOK FROM SPYING ON YOU.

IT JUST MEANS DIFFERENT OWNERS ARE SPYING ON YOU.

I'’M NOT CONVINCED IT IS A LOT BETTER.

BUT INDEED THAT IS THE SOLUTION WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING AT THIS.

EVERYBODY USES IT.

IT WILL BE FRONT AND CENTER.

THANK YOU.

PROM SEASON IS UPON US IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

WHILE HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE GETTING ALL DECKED OUT AND HEADING TO THE SCHOOL GYM OR A LOCAL EVENT HALL.

BOSTON SPEAKEASY STAGE COMPANY BRINGING PROM TO THE REST OF US.

PROM THE MUSICAL.

THE SHOW FOLLOWS FOUR WASHED UP BROADWAY PERFORMERS WHO DESCEND ON A SMALL INDIANA TOWN WHERE THE PROM IS CANCELED BECAUSE A STUDENT ANNOUNCED SHE WOULD BRING HER GIRLFRIEND AS A DATE.

>> YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I'’M AS GAY AS A BUCKET OF WIGS.

A BUCKET OF WIGS.

AND I HAVE -- I HAVE COME ALL THE WAY FROM NEW YORK CITY TO SAVE YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A RALLY TOMORROW.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE BANNERS, CHOREOGRAPHY.

SHAME ON YOU.

>> SHAME.

>> SHAME.

>> IT IS HILARIOUS.

THE SHOW STARS JOHNNY KOONTZ AS BARRY GLICKMAN, WE SAW, AND MARY CALLANAN AS THE DEMENTED DIVA DEDE ALLEN.

THEY BOTH JOIN ME NOW.

YOU GASPED ALREADY, SHE IS KIND OF DEMENTED.

>> I JUST THINK SHE'’S MISUNDERSTOOD.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> LET'’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DEMENTED DIVA AND YOUR ACTOR WHO THEY HAVE HAD THIS FAILED TRIAL OF A ROOSEVELT MUSICAL ON BROADWAY, SO THEY NEED TO FIND THE CAUSE THAT WILL MAKE THEM ACTIVISTS IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT.

WHERE DOES IT TAKE US?

>> EDGEWATER, INDIANA.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WE HAVE BEEN IN A STRING OF NOT SO GOOD MUSICALS.

WE ARE TOLD IT IS OUR FAULT WE ARE HOPELESS NARCISSUS.

SO THE FOUR OF US WITH OUR FABULOUS MANAGER, WE WILL SAY MISFITS.

WE DESCEND UPON EDGEWATER, INDIANA, A YOUNG 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO WANTS TO TAKE HER GIRLFRIEND TO THE PROM, AND WE FOUND IT ON TWITTER.

AND WE GO TO REDEEM OURSELVES, DON'’T WE?

>> THIS IS A RESIDENT MUSICAL.

I REMEMBER WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT, PEOPLE MIGHT NOT ALSO KNOW IT FROM THE NETFLIX SHOW.

IT IS NICE WE HAVE REMOVED BEYOND THAT.

IT IS STILL RESIDENT.

>> IT IS.

IT IS SAD TO SAY THAT.

I WISH WE COULD HAVE MOVED PAST THAT.

ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE MACHINATIONS POLITICALLY HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY.

IT IS A LITTLE FRIGHTENING.

EVERY DAY.

IT IS GREAT FOR ME LOOKING BACK TO MY PROM AND SAYING THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

>> CAN YOU REMEMBER THAT FAR BACK?

>> OH BOY.

>> OH NO.

>> AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

A LOT OF THINGS REALLY HAVEN'’T.

IT IS A STORY THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE TOLD SADLY.

>> BUT IT IS ALSO -- >> I'’M GLAD WE ARE THE ONES TELLING IT.

>> YOU TO OUR VETERAN ACTORS OF BOSTON AREA STAGES.

THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE WORKED TOGETHER.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO FIND THE CHEMISTRY?

>> TO ME, ANSWERED PRAYERS OR DREAMS REALIZED.

I HAVE BEEN SUCH A FAN OF JOHNNY'’S WORK ALL THESE YEARS.

>> VICE VERSA.

>> WE WORKED TOGETHER ONCE IN A BOX OFFICE.

THAT DOES NOT COUNT.

IT WAS 1000 YEARS AGO.

>> THE SHOW THAT NOBODY SAW.

>> CORRECT BECAUSE IT WAS A SHOW.

>> WE JUST HUGGED AND SAID WE CAN'’T WAIT FOR THIS GAME TO START.

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A BLAST.

>> AS YOU LOOK AT YOURSELVES AS ACTORS AND THE CHARACTERS YOU ARE PLAYING, MAYBE YOU DON'’T LIKE THE TERM WASHED UP ACTORS, BUT OVER THE TOP ACTORS.

HOW DO YOU GET INTO THAT CHARACTER KNOWING THAT THIS IS YOUR PROFESSION?

>> IT IS LIKE WHEN DOES BARRY END AND I BEGIN?

IT IS SORT OF FUN TO PLAY A CHARACTER THAT -- BARRY'’S TRAJECTORY WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN MINE.

I CERTAINLY TAP INTO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES HE HAD AND TRY TO MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THE ONES THAT ARE MEANINGFUL FOR ME.

I THINK WHAT BARRY -- HE WAS SO WOUNDED WHEN HE WAS THE AGE OF THESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

HE BURIED IT UNDER ALL OF THIS FLASH -- FABULOUSNESS.

WENT OFF TO NEW YORK AND FORGOT HIS WHOLE LIFE.

GOING BACK TO INDIANA SORT OF AWAKENS IT.

SEEING EMMA AND REALLY MAKING THAT CONNECTION LIKE SHE CAN HAVE THE PROM I NEVER HAD SORT OF BECOMES IMPORTANT TO HIM.

I FOUND IT ALL REALLY POIG NANT.

>> I DID GO TO MY PROM.

I WASN'’T OPENLY OUT.

I DON'’T THINK I COULD HAVE BEEN AT THE TIME.

EVEN THE SLIGHT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY AGE AND BARRY'’S IS SIGNIFICANT FOR ME.

>> YOU ARE ALSO APPEARING AGAIN ON BOSTON STAGES AFTER GOING TO BROADWAY, WHICH I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN STRUCK BY WHAT YOU DID.

YOU WERE HERE, YOU HAD A FANTASTIC CAREER.

BUT YOU DECIDED I HAVE NOT DONE IT ALL AND YOU MADE THIS DECISION LATER THAN MOST PEOPLE MIGHT MAKE THE DECISION TO MAKE A GO AT NEW YORK AND YOU MADE IT HAPPEN.

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE MOMENT AND CONVICTION IT TOOK?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST AS GRATEFUL AND INCREDIBLY, IF NOT, LUCKY THE DOOR OPENED AND I RAN RIGHT THROUGH IT.

IT WAS A TEAM DECISION WITH MY HUSBAND THAT SAID YOU'’VE DONE GREAT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER THING YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO?

I SAID SURE, ANYONE WHO EVER SANG INTO A HAIRBRUSH WHEN THEY WERE 10 YEARS OLD -- HE SAID NOW IS THE TIME, YOU JUST CAME OFF TOUR, WHY DON'’T YOU TRY?

THROUGH A SERIES OF INCREDIBLE COSMIC -- THE DOOR OPEN, I HAD NOT BEEN IN NEW YORK ONLY NINE WEEKS, I HAD NO AGENT.

>> YOU DID NOT EVEN HAVE AN AGENT?

>> NO, IT WAS MAGICAL.

I WAS VERY LUCKY.

BUT NOTHING HAPPENS OVERNIGHT.

PART OF THE MAGIC WAS SOMEONE I WORKED WITH WHEN I WAS NONUNION MANY YEARS EARLIER.

I DON'’T KNOW WHAT CAMERA TO LOOK IN.

YOUNG ACTORS, PLAY IN THE SANDBOX, BE NICE TO EVERYONE.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IT IS GOING TO BE.

SOMEBODY THAT I KNEW FROM MY EARLIER YEARS CAME THROUGH FOR ME WHEN I DID NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ENDED UP.

>> A DREAM COME TRUE, EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE?

>> IT TURNED OUT TO BE PRETTY DARN FABULOUS.

I WILL NOT SAY THAT I'’M DONE, BUT THE PANDEMIC BROUGHT ME HOME TO BOSTON.

I'’M LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO -- THE COSMIC THING OF PAUL DANIEL WANTING TO DO THIS SHOW AT THIS TIME WITH THIS PARTICULAR CREW OF PEOPLE AND I HAPPEN TO BE HOME FOR IT, I WILL NEVER NOT STOP BEING GRATEFUL BECAUSE IT IS GREAT.

THE PEOPLE WHO PLAY THE TEENAGERS IN OUR SHOW ARE UNBELIEVABLE.

>> THEY ARE TALENTED.

>> DO 10 MINUTES ON THAT.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK.

YOU HAVE A LINE ABOUT -- A MOMENT WHERE THEY NEED TO GET PUBLICITY, THESE ACTORS, BUT THEY DON'’T WANT TO GO ON PBS BECAUSE NOBODY WATCHES PBS.

THAT IS YOUR LINE.

YET YOU ARE SITTING HERE WITH ME ON PBS.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> THERE IS A LINE IN THE SHOW WHERE YOUR SHOW AND ALL SHOWS LIKE THIS ARE REFERRED TO AS SMART TV.

>> THAT NOBODY WATCHES -- >> JOHNNY, GO AHEAD AND TELL THESE NICE FOLKS WHAT YOUR LINE IS.

>> I BELIEVE IT IS JEFF BENNETT.

>> DEFINITELY NOT YOU.

>> IF YOU GIVE ME A COUPLE OF MONTHS, I CAN GET EMMA ON JEFF BENNETT.

NO ONE WATCHES PBS, YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE HER SIT DOWN WITH A ROCK AND A BOX.

>> AND JEFF BENNETT'’S NAME COMES UP AGAIN, AND SHE SAYS IT IS PBS, SMART TV.

IN OUR ANSWER IS WHAT A BROADCASTER.

FABULOUS.

>> I'’M TAKING NOTE WE HAVE THE SAME INITIALS.

>> IF I HAD KNOWN WHAT SHOW YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN AT.

REQUISITION THAT WE CHANGE IT.

>> EVEN THOUGH IN MASSACHUSETTS WE HAVE SEEN THIS FOR A LONG TIME, PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTING IT, WHAT ARE AUDIENCES LIKE?

IT HAS BEEN STAGED IN OTHER PLACES WHERE IT CHANGED PEOPLE'’S VIEWS ARE MADE THEM UNDERSTAND SAME SEX ATTRACTIONS AND WHY THIS LOVE EXISTS AND WHY IT IS PURE.

, I WONDER IF YOU'’VE HAD ANY OF THOSE EXPERIENCES?

>> COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM A VERY EARLY MAN AND A THIS MORNING WHERE WE HAD SCHOOL.

THAT IS ALWAYS A TURKEY SHOOT, LET'’S CALL IT THAT.

YOU ARE NEVER SURE WHAT YOU'’RE ARE GOING TO GET.

THIS MORNING, THOSE STUDENTS WERE SOBBING AND LAUGHING.

AND I THOUGHT PLEASE -- AND AT THE END, THEY WERE CHEERING.

FOR THE PROM GOERS.

AND I WAS LIKE IF WE CAN CONVINCE HIGH SCHOOLERS WHO HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO EXCEPT THROW PEOPLE DOWN -- >> I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SAME.

IN THE SECOND ACT, WE JUST HEAR THE AUDIENCE AUDIBLY WEEPING OUT OF THE DARKNESS.

IT IS MOVING TO US TO HEAR THAT.

>> LOVE IS LOVE.

BULLYING IS WRONG.

WHY PICK ON THE YOUNGER PEOPLE?

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SHOW.

I ENJOYED IT.

COMING INTO THE STUDIO, WITH MY COLLEAGUE, SHE WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN THE ENTIRE TIME.

I WAS BOUNCING UP AND DOWN IN THOSE SEATS.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THE PROM IS RUNNING NOW THROUGH JUNE 10 AT THE CALDERWOOD PAVILION IN BOSTON'’S SOUTH END.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO BOSTONTHEATERSCENE.COM.

>> ANOTHER BROADWAY SHOW HEADING TO BOSTON, OR IN THIS CASE, HEADING BACK JAGGED LITTLE PILL FIRST PREMIERED HERE IN 2018 AT THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER BEFORE MOVING TO BROADWAY.

NEXT MONTH, THE SHOW BASED ON THE 1995 ALANNA SOMERSET ALBUM OF THE SAME NAME, IS COMING BACK FOR A NEARLY TWO WEEK RUN COURTESY OF BROADWAY IN BOSTON AT THE CITIZENS BANK OPERA HOUSE.

IN 2018, I SAT DOWN WITH ALANNA SOMERSET HERSELF AHEAD OF THE PREMIER.

♪ ♪ >> IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

RELEASED JUST BEFORE SUMMER IN 1995, JAGGED LITTLE PILL TORE INTO CULTURE WITH ALL OF THE VERACITY IS TITLE WOULD SUGGEST.

THE LYRICS WERE ALL THOSE OF A TEENAGER.

WHO HAD BEEN A PURVEYOR OF POP IN HER CANADA.

SHE REMEMBERS SHE SUDDENLY HAD SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO SAY.

>> I WAS GIVING MYSELF PERMISSION TO EXPRESS WHAT WAS GOING ON WITHOUT SUGARCOATING IT.

>> OVER THE NEXT YEAR CAME A FLOOD OF SINGLES THAT BURNED THROUGH THE SHEEN OF LIFE.

IT WAS THE ANTI-POP, AND WRITING WITH GLENN BALLARD, ALANIS MORISSETTE GOT REAL AND RAW.

♪ ♪ >> THERE WAS AN URGENCY TO THE WRITING.

IT WAS ALMOST MANIC.

A VERY CHANNELED EXPERIENCE, SUPER EXHAUSTING, BUT REALLY GRATIFYING.

WE GOT ALL OF THE VOCALS ON TAPE, ONE OR TWO TAKES, 80% OF THE RECORD OF THE ORIGINAL DEMOS.

IT WAS A VERY SACRED EXPERIENCE CERTAINLY.

>> THE RECORD WON FIVE GRAMMYS, SO ALREADY 3 MILLION COPIES, AND IS AMONG ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING ALBUMS OF ALL TIME.

YOU LOOK BACK NOW AND WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WHAT HAPPENED?

[LAUGHTER] GOOD QUESTION.

I MAKE FUNNY GUESSES AT THIS.

SOME OF IT WAS THAT THERE WAS A MOVEMENT, WHETHER IT WAS THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT OR CONSCIOUS EVOLUTIONIST MOVEMENT, THE WAVE WAS HAPPENING.

I PUT MY HAND UP AND VOLUNTEERED TO BE ON TOP OF THE WAVE WITH MY SURFBOARD.

I BECAME A SPOKESPERSON OF A KIND FOR THIS EMERGENCE OF AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN, WHAT IT WAS TO BE A WOMAN IN THOSE TIMES.

>> TODAY, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF TONY WINNER DIANA POLICY, JAGGED LITTLE PILL IS TAKING ON A NEW LIFE AS A BRAND-NEW MUSICAL AT THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER.

♪ >> THE RUNNING JOKE BECAME THERE WAS A CIRCUMSTANCE IN THE STORY EMERGENT, I WOULD SAY I HAVE A SONG FOR THAT, THEY WOULD SAY OF COURSE YOU DO.

>> IT CENTERS ON A MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY IN CONNECTICUT.

PICTURE-PERFECT ON THE OUTSIDE.

THE UNRAVELING FROM WITHIN.

BESET BY A HOST OF ISSUES PLAGUING FAMILIES TODAY, FROM OPIOID ADDICTION TO SEXUAL ASSAULT.

>> I WAS UP FOR IT OUT OF THE GATE AREA DIE DID NOT WANT THE SONGS TO LEAD AS SUCH, I WANTED THEM TO SUPPORT THE STORY.

THE SONGS DO AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF HEAVY LIFTING.

>> DIABLO CODY MAKES HER THEATRICAL DEBUT WITH "JAGGED LITTLE PILL."

WITH MYRIAD PROJECTS IN THE BOOKS, INCLUDING HER LATEST FILM WHICH JUST OPENED TO RAVE REVIEWS, SHE SAYS SHE DID NOT HAVE TIME FOR THE SHOW.

AS SOMEONE WHO'’S ADOLESCENCE WAS SHAPED BY ALANIS MORISSETTE, SHE COULD NOT SAY NO.

>> I COULD NOT NOT DO IT.

THOSE OF THE PROJECTS YOU CANNOT WALK AWAY FROM, WHERE YOU THINK I WILL BE CONSUMED WITH JEALOUSY AND RAGE OF SOMEBODY ELSE GETS TO DO THIS.

THE ONES WHERE YOU CAN JUST SEE FUTURE YOU REGRETTING NOT DOING THIS.

>> SHE HAS CREATED THE FAMILY AND ALL OF THE ISSUES DROWNING THEM AS A METAPHOR FOR SOCIETY AT LARGE.

ADDICTION CHIEF AMONG THEM.

FOR A SHOW CALLED JAGGED LITTLE PILL.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE IN A PLACE AS A SOCIETY WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF COMFORT AND ARE FEELING KIND OF DISENFRANCHISED.

IT HONESTLY DOES NOT SURPRISE ME, THE OPIOID CRISIS FEELS SORT OF GROTESQUELY APPROPRIATE TO THE TIMES.

>> AS DOES ALANIS MORISSETTE'’S MUSIC, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOW MORE THAN 20 YEARS OLD.

>> IT IS CRAZY HOW WELL IT HOLDS UP.

THERE IS NO SONG I HEAR AND THINK IT IS JUVENILE.

IF ANYTHING, IT IS MORE PROFOUND TO ME NOW.

I CAN STILL SING WITH AS MUCH CONVICTION, PERHAPS MORE BASED ON THERE IS MORE RECEPTIVE IT HE TO SOME OF THE TOPICS I DIVE INTO.

>> INCLUDING ANGER, A LABEL THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH HER WORK, AND WHICH DEFINES SOME OF THE SHOW'’S YOUNGER CHARACTERS.

>> I LOVE ANGER.

IF I'’M GOING TO BE ONE-DIMENSIONAL, I WILL TAKE ANGER.

IT IS A GORGEOUS LIFE FORCE, I THINK IT GETS A BAD REP BECAUSE OF HOW IT SHOWS UP DESTRUCTIVELY IN THE WORLD.

BUT THE ACTUAL LIFE FORCE ITSELF AND THE SENSE IN THE BODY OF WHAT ANGER IS AND THE HEAT, JAW CLEN HCH, FORWARD MOVEMENT HELPED ME AND OTHERS SET BOUNDARIES, SPEAK UP FOR ONESELF, SAY NO.

>> WHEN SHE FINISHED THE ALBUM, SHE HAD NO IDEA IT WOULD BE SO SUCCESSFUL.

THE INTENTION WAS TO MAKE THE MUSIC MATTER.

♪ ♪ >> A PHILOSOPHY SHE NOW CARRIES TO THE MUSICAL.

>> MY DAD SAID WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, HE GOES "SWEETHEART, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOVE YOU, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HATE YOU, AND MOST PEOPLE WON'’T GIVE A --."

AND I SAID OKAY, IF THAT IS THE CASE, I'’M LEFT WITH DEFINING MYSELF AND TRYING THINGS ON FOR SIZE AND SEEING IF THEY FIT AND FINDING MY VALUE SYSTEM AND HOW I WANT TO SHOW UP AND HOW I DON'’T WANT TO SHOW UP.

THAT IS ALL I CAN CONTINUE TO DO.

>> JAGGED LITTLE PILL WILL RUN FROM JUNE 13 THROUGH THE 25TH AT THE CITIZENS BANK OPERA HOUSE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO JAGGEDLITTLEPILL.COM/TOUR.

CATCH ALANIS MORISSETTE LIVE NEXT SATURDAY AT DAY TWO OF BOSTON CALLING.

THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT.

COME BACK TOMORROW AT 7:00.

ADAM REILLY IN HIS PANEL DIG INTO THE FALLOUT AS RACHAEL ROLLINS RESIGNS AFTER A SCATHING ETHICS INVESTIGATION.

THE STATE'’S NEW HOUSING SECRETARY GETS PUSHED BACK.

IN-STATE TUITION FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS GAINS MOMENTUM.

AT 8:30, AN ARTIST AUTHORING BOSTON WITH HIS GIANT MIRACLES OF POSITIVITY.

HE JOINS ME ALONG WITH SEBASTIAN SMEE.

UNTIL THEN, GOOD NIGHT.

♪ ♪