American Idiot Musical (Theatrical Production)

[MassHysteria]

Another positive article from the same source as these last two, and by the same other as the positive one... different content though:

http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_13338357

Musical theater gets punk'd by 'American Idiot'

Move over, show tunes. Here comes headbanging.

The once-staid Broadway musical gets punk'd when the hotly anticipated Green Day show, "American Idiot," dawns Wednesday at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Just as "Rent" introduced a whole new generation to Broadway in the '90s, this gutsy mashup of social protest and punk rock is bound to lure the iPod crowd into the theater big time.

Not only is the post-9/11 coming-of-age tale smashing box office records (ticket demand is so intense the show has already been extended through Nov. 1), the world premiere production is infusing the old-fashioned musical theater genre with a bold new attitude.

"Punk is about taking chances, taking risks — and that is what we're trying to do with this project," says the Oakland-based band's frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong.

Of course, rock licks have been seeping onto Broadway since the '60s. The Elvis Presley homage "Bye Bye Birdie" first introduced the sound of electric guitar in 1960, and "Hair," eight years later, qualifies as the first full-fledged rock musical. Recent hits such as the 2006 alternative rock groundbreaker "Spring Awakening" have cranked up the volume even higher. But hard-core punk turns up the dial another notch. Punk puts a snarl (instead of a song) into your heart. It speaks to the generation more familiar with "I Wanna Be Sedated" than "Wonderful Town."

"People who think of the theater as not something for their generationare going to have to rethink that stance," says Susie Medak, managing director of Berkeley Rep. "Rock music is so much a part of the contemporary lexicon that you have to respect that."

Having the stamp of approval of rock star Armstrong gives "American Idiot" the street cred to qualify as a pop culture nirvana not just to the die-hard theater buffs but also to folks who don't know "Billy Elliot" from Billy Idol.

"People are ready for new blood on Broadway," says star John Gallagher Jr. who won a Tony for his turn as Moritz in the emo-rock "Spring Awakening." "There's a shift happening where people realize that rock music is not lesser."

No doubt, expanding the boundaries of Broadway is also a smart way to expand the ticket base.

"The target audience today is the under-40," notes Ruth Pangilinan, general manager of Broadway San Jose. "We've got to get those people into the theater if we want to keep moving forward."

Certainly the exuberant energy level in rehearsals, where many in the fresh-faced 19-person cast brandished tattoos and black-lacquered nails, bespeaks the amped-up pulse of youth. Director Michael Mayer of "Spring Awakening" fame runs through the insanely catchy anthem "Know Your Enemy" over and over. With the band, it's a hard-charging rant; without it, the song is transformed into an angelic chorus.

Armstrong, who has been bonding with the cast over beers, praises the ensemble for nailing the punk zeitgeist. "This is as close to a rock concert as you can get," he said. "I get choked up every time I see it. This is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my career, you know — me, a kid from Rodeo."

Originally conceived as a rock opera charting the life of the anti-hero Jesus of Suburbia, the Grammy-winning 2004 album sold more than 12 million copies. The sung-through musical distills the punk band's wailing guitar riffs into an 85-minute sonic blast. Drugs, war and discontent confront three rebels known as Johnny, Whatsername and St. Jimmy on their journey from the 'burbs to the big city.

"Johnny feels trapped in the suburban wasteland," Gallagher Jr. says. "He's got a lot of anger and frustration and he has nothing to do but hang out in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven and get stoned."

Youthful alienation fuels the pulverize-the-rafters score, which includes 20 hits such as "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Holiday" and "Wake Me Up When September Ends," as well as tunes from the band's latest CD, "21st Century Breakdown," such as "21 Guns" and "Know Your Enemy."

Although the album was intended as a scathing indictment of Bush America, Armstrong says the anti-establishment themes will hit home just as hard today. "We're stuck with all the same problems we had then and, if anything, things have gotten worse — being at war with yourself, at war with your government, and all the corruption of the powers that be."

Mayer, who thought the album belonged onstage the first time he heard it, says it's high time that musicals embraced an edgier aesthetic. (While there are no plans for the musical after its Berkeley run, expectations are high for a New York outing.)

"I have a deep and abiding love for the Broadway musical, but at the end of the day there is something missing a lot of the time and that's imagination, something that can take your breath away, something that takes a huge step forward," the director says. "This piece is so unconventional we don't even know what to call it. It's not a musical, it's not a punk opera, it's not a rock opera. We're just calling it a show."

At a time when Broadway is dominated by recycled movie plots and revivals, "American Idiot" scoffs at formula. There is no linear narrative but there is a live rock band thrashing on stage, high-octane choreography, 38 video screens and blaring vocals. "Oklahoma," it ain't. But as the band's iconic hit song goes, it's something unpredictable but in the end is right.

[MassHysteria]

Very true, and it's stuff I've heard other people say, but his review makes it seem that there are no redeeming qualities to the show at all. That was a bit bothersome.

I just re-read his review, and here is what I don't like. With the way he writes the article, he does not go in to any detailed specifics about what he feels is wrong with the show, just generalizations. In addition, instead of looking at the show as a seperate piece of work, he keeps comparing it to the album. Its as if he went there expecting a Green Day show, and instead saw a musical, and then felt disappointed that Billie, Mike, and Tre were not on stage.

[norcalgreendayfan]

First Review.... Not Good

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/09/1...american-idiot/

Yikes that was brutal, but I find it amusing that a different person at the same source had a much better review

[American Basket Case]

Slideshow of AI

(Apologies if it's already been posted.)

EDIT: Looks like these might be old pics, but I'd never seen them. Last couple of pics feature GD members.

[MassHysteria]

Negative Blog Review (Not an official news review):

http://rantsravesandrethoughts.blogspot.co...ng-america.html

The review from the East Bay Express will be coming out soon too.

Yikes that was brutal, but I find it amusing that a different person at the same source had a much better review

Its interesting to note though that he is a music critic, while she is a theater critic. I'd rather the theater people like it than the rock people, since the theater people decide if this goes east.

[norcalgreendayfan]

Negative Blog Review (Not an official news review):

http://rantsravesandrethoughts.blogspot.co...ng-america.html

The review from the East Bay Express will be coming out soon too.

Its interesting to note though that he is a music critic, while she is a theater critic. I'd rather the theater people like it than the rock people, since the theater people decide if this goes east.

That is true I think it would be more beneficial that the theater people like the play more than anyone else since it is their opinions that will matter whether is does go East, but I have a good gut feeling it will though

[MassHysteria]

Another Interview with Green Day from KTVU Channel 2:

http://www.ktvu.com/video/20966365/index.html

[norcalgreendayfan]

Nice all these interviews from last night popping up, will have to watch this one when I get home tonight

[farley drexel hatcher]

Another Interview with Green Day from KTVU Channel 2:

http://www.ktvu.com/video/20966365/index.html

I can't get this to load, can someone rip it?

[MassHysteria]

I can't get this to load, can someone rip it?

It took a bit for it to load for me, try giving it a bit of time. This video didn't seem to want to rip with any of the tools I used.

[IscoredWaddlesgoals]

Quite a mixed response so far then ? The blog one was quite interesting and I agree with him about the characters.

[norcalgreendayfan]

It took a bit for it to load for me, try giving it a bit of time. This video didn't seem to want to rip with any of the tools I used.

Yeah Videos off the KTVU news site can sometimes take a while to load

[MassHysteria]

Photos from an attendee. Apparently Billie was giving mohawks to anyone that wanted one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeywan/sets/72157622397219818/

[Clockwise]

I'd get a mohawk from Billie.

[jnine13]

As long as he isn't dying anyone else's hair.

[norcalgreendayfan]

As long as he isn't dying anyone else's hair.

I wouldnt mind a hair dye job or a mohawk from Billie

[Laura!]

I wouldnt mind a hair dye job or a mohawk from Billie

Next thing we know he'll open his own hair salon specializing in mohawks and dying hair.

[MassHysteria]

Mixed review from The Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/Gr...--59638457.html

[norcalgreendayfan]

Next thing we know he'll open his own hair salon specializing in mohawks and dying hair.

Hey its Billie Joe anythings possible with him, and I'd be a regular customer too

[JHyena86]

Another Interview with Green Day from KTVU Channel 2:

http://www.ktvu.com/video/20966365/index.html

Yay! Thanks for that, it was a good watch. Hahah, Tre doing the choreography...and the few clips at the end from the show. Gaaaah, I wanna see it so bad.

[J'net]

Hi all - I just registered here, but I've been lurking for the last couple of weeks since I got the link from BroadwayWorld when American Idiot first opened. I live in New York City but I'm going to be in San Francisco for the next five days (flying tomorrow!) and I'm seeing the show tomorrow night.

I am first and foremost a theatre fan - the business/PR side, rather than acting - but a newer-ish Green Day fan (maybe 5 years?). I had always liked their singles but never bought one of their CDs until American Idiot. I tried once to write a "book" (the script) to American Idiot (like a huge dork), so I was ecstatic when they announced this. I knew a few people involved with the New York reading last... I want to say December, so I knew it was coming, just didn't know when.

Words can't describe how excited I am for tomorrow night. I will review it for my personal blog, and post it here (if anyone is still interested in more opinions!). Anyways, hi and nice to meet everyone!

Hi and welcome! We'll be quite interested to hear your reactions .

[Seedless_Reject]

pictures from last night

wireimage has pictures from the 16th (last night)

[Abbey.]

LOVE the KTVU video - Billie Joe looks completely bored by the interviewers inane questions but doing his best to be a good sport. and why so much restraint by Tre!?!?

[J'net]

First Review.... Not Good

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2009/09/1...american-idiot/

I just had to pop over and leave a comment on that one .

[Trina]

Billie Joe really does wish he was a hairdresser, doesn't he?!