Tickets available to the general public now. More info: AmericanIdiotonbroadway.com
3-19 - AMERICAN IDIOT - FINAL SOUNDCHECK
News from Green Day's IDIOT CLUB:
Hey Idiot Club! The rocking cast of American Idiot isready for you, but before this high-octane production settles into their new home at the St. James Theatre, we were able to snag seats to March 23rd's FINAL SOUNDCHECK FOR AMERICAN IDIOT in New York City the day before the show opens to the public on March 24! Enter for your chance to be there when Green Day officially announces their Broadway musical to the world! So hurry up if you want to be one of the lucky Idiot Club members that get to bring a guest to this exclusive event! Winners will be notified via email by Monday 3/22.
Full details at the Idiot Club: HERE.
| 3-19 - AMERICAN IDIOT - STUDENT LOTTERY |
A limited number of tickets in the first two rows of the orchestra will be sold via lottery. Entries will be accepted at the St. James Theatre box office beginning two hours prior to each performance; each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Fifteen minutes later, names will be drawn at random for 21 seats in the first two rows of the theatre for $27 each. Only one entry is allowed per person. Cards are checked for duplication prior to drawing. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show a valid student ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Cash only. Subject to availability.
[Full details at AmericanIdiotBroadway.com]
3-10 - THE STORY BEHIND AMERICAN IDIOT
AmericanIdiotBroadway.com, the Official Website for the upcoming Broadway version of American Idiot posted a new video featuring Billie Joe and director Michael Mayer: HERE.
2-22 - "ST. JIMMY" BOX OFFICE OPENS FOR 'AMERICAN IDIOT"
The St. James Theatre box office will open at 10 AM Feb. 22 for walkup sales for tickets to the new Broadway musical American Idiot. The first preview of the Green Day musical is March 24, toward an April 20 opening.
The St. James - not to be confused with St. Jimmy, a character in the show - is at 246 W. 44th Street. Tickets are now on sale to the general public through Telecharge.com (212) 239-6200, following a two-week exclusive for American Express cardholders.
According to the producers, "American Idiot follows the exhilarating journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world, borne along by Green Day's electrifying score. The musical includes every song from the acclaimed album 'American Idiot,' as well as several songs from the band's Grammy Award-winning new release, '21st Century Breakdown.'"
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and the band collaborate with Michael Mayer, the Tony Award-winning director of Spring Awakening; two-time Tony Award-winning composer and orchestrator Tom Kitt; and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Steven Hoggett "to bring this explosive, iconic album to the stage."
The cast includes Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening), Tony Award nominee Stark Sands (Journey's End), Michael Esper (A Man For All Seasons), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange), Christina Sajous (The Wild Party), Mary Faber (Avenue Q) and Tony Vincent (Jesus Christ Superstar). Also featured in the cast are Declan Bennett, Andrew Call, Gerard Canonico, Miguel Cervantes, Joshua Henry, Van Hughes, Brian Charles Johnson, Joshua Kobak, Lorin Latarro, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Leslie McDonel, Chase Peacock, Theo Stockman, Ben Thompson, Alysha Umphress, Aspen Vincent and Libby Winters.
The musical had its world premiere in fall 2009 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California.
For more information, visit www.AmericanIdiotonBroadway.com.
[Full article at Playbill]
2-14 - AMERICAN IDIOT TICKETS ON SALE NOW
We wanted to give you a heads–up that you can purchase tickets to American Idiot on Broadway starting today! Be sure to grab your seats to see the show that Billie Joe called incredible and contagious, and Tre Cool referred to as dangerous, sexy and fucking amazing!
American Idiot follows the journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world, borne along by Green Day’s electrifying score. Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), the show features every song from American Idiot plus a few from new Grammy Award winner 21st Century Breakdown including 21 Guns, Last Night on Earth, Know your Enemy, and Last of the American Girls (plus a surprise or two). The result is a live, musical experience that’s edgy, soulful and exhilarating.
Get tickets to this bold new Green Day experience by clicking here for performances starting on March 24, 2010. Act now for access to the best seats and the widest selection of dates.
Be sure to stay connected:
www.AmericanIdiotOnBroadway.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/americanidiotbroadway
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmericanIdiotNY
2-03 - VIDEO PREMIERE - '21 GUNS' FEAT. CAST OF AMERICAN IDIOT
1-30 - AMERICAN IDIOT CAST TWEETS
American Idiot cast members will be live tweeting from the Grammy Awards tomorrow! Follow Gerard Canonico, Declan Bennett and Libby Winters on Twitter as they take you through all the excitement. You can see all of their #AIGrammys tweets here http://tr.im/aigrammys
1-30 - GRAMMY REHEARSAL
2 p.m. -- Green Day with the American Idiot cast
Security is crazy-tight at the Staples Center. Not only did we need to apply in advance for accreditation just to get in the door -- once we do get in, we have to empty our pockets and/or purses and go through a metal detector. We are given backstage pass-style stickers, told we must wear them at all times and escorted into the sectioned-off portion of the arena where the media (and a few lucky fans) are allowed to sit. Across the way, on the massive black stage, Bay Area pop-punk trio Green Day are running through 21 Guns (up for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song) with the cast of their new American Idiot musical and a string section. The song begins quietly with the young castmembers and the strings, then kicks into gear when a giant wall rises to reveal the band. The black-clad Billie Joe -- playing acoustic guitar -- swaps vocals with a female vocalist while the rest of the kids gather around, sing backup and pump their fists to the beat. Between all those vocalists and the dramatic arrangement, this version of the song sounds even more anthemic than the one on the CD -- if that's possible. After three run-throughs, each of which sounds about the same as the last, it's over.
A little more on that stage: It's very sleek, with two ramps that come forward from either side and meet in the middle at a set of lighted stairs. One would assume the little pits in the stage are for the orchestra. Above there are half a dozen video screens, masses of lights and plenty of neon. There's also a small circular satellite stage for introductions and whatnot in the centre of the arena.
[Full article at Toronto Sun]
1-30 - PRESS RELEASE
Green Day to Perform "21 Guns" Live with the Broadway Cast of American Idiot at the Grammy Awards This Sunday
Video for New Version of Green Day’s Platinum Single “21 Guns” — Featuring the Cast of Hit Musical American Idiot — Premieres Exclusively on AOL Music on February 1stBrand-New “21 Guns” EP Now Available
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The video for the new version of Green Day’s platinum single “21 Guns,” now available from all digital service providers, will premiere on AOL Music on February 1st.Both the song and video feature the members of Green Day, singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool, recording in the studio with the cast of American Idiot — the critically acclaimed stage version of Green Day’s chart-topping 2004 album that completed a record-breaking three-month run at The Berkeley Repertory Theatre and is now moving to Broadway where it opens on April 20th. The video was shot by Doug Hamilton, who lensed all the behind-the-scenes documentary-style footage for the theatrical production.
“21 Guns,” originally featured on the band’s gold album 21st Century Breakdown, has been newly arranged by Tom Kitt, who is credited with the show’s arrangements and musical supervision. The new version was recorded at Green Day’s studio in Oakland, CA and produced by Armstrong. Prominently featured on the track are American Idiot cast members John Gallagher, Jr., who won a Tony Award in 2007 for Spring Awakening, Matt Kaplan, Michael Esper, Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange), Christina Sajous, and Mary Faber. Though the bulk of the songs in the musical are taken from American Idiot, four songs from 21st Century Breakdown, including “21 Guns,” are featured in the show.
A brand-new three-song 21 Guns EP, featuring the original version, the new version with the American Idiot cast, and a live version recorded in Japan, is now available for purchase on iTunes.
The digital version of the original “21 Guns” has sold more than one million downloads, while the video won three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September, including “Best Rock Video.” The band took home their second American Music Award for “Favorite Alternative Music Artist” in November. In addition, Green Day have been nominated for three 2010 Grammy® Awards, including two for “21 Guns (“Best Rock Song” and “Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals”) and one for 21st Century Breakdown, which was nominated for “Best Rock Album.” The band will perform “21 Guns” live with the Broadway cast of American Idiot at the Grammy Awards ceremony, which will air on CBS on Sunday, January 31st at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
1-29 - AMERICAN IDIOT AMEX PREVIEW
After an incredible three month record breaking run at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, American Idiot is coming to Broadway. It’s the show that Billie Joe called incredible and contagious. And Tre Cool referred to as dangerous, sexy and fucking amazing.
Under the direction of Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), the show features every song from American Idiot plus great new material from Green Days latest, 21st Century Breakdown. The result is a live, musical experience that’s edgy, soulful and exhilarating.
Advance access to tickets available with your American Express card by clicking here for performances starting March 24, 2010. Tickets won’t be available to the general public until February 14.
1-27 - GET THE NEW 21 GUNS EP IN ITUNES NOW
After an incredible three month record breaking run at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, American Idiot is coming to Broadway. It’s the show that Billie Joe called incredible and contagious. And Tre Cool referred to as dangerous, sexy and fucking amazing.
Under the direction of Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), the show features every song from American Idiot plus great new material from Green Days latest, 21st Century Breakdown. The result is a live, musical experience that’s edgy, soulful and exhilarating.
Advance access to tickets available with your American Express card by clicking here for performances starting March 24, 2010. Tickets won’t be available to the general public until February 14.
1-26 - GET THE NEW 21 GUNS EP IN ITUNES NOW
Pick up the new EP in iTunes for a special price of $2.49. This EP features
the cast version of 21 Guns (with Green Day), the original version from
'21st Century Breakdown,' and a live version recorded in Japan last year!
Click HERE to get it.
1-05 - AMERICAN IDIOT MOVES TO BROADWAY
AMERICAN IDIOT MOVES TO BROADWAY AFTER A RECORD-BREAKING
WORLD PREMIERE AT BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE
MUSIC BY MULTI GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING BAND GREEN DAY
LYRICS BY GREEN DAY’S BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG
BOOK BY BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG & MICHAEL MAYER
DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD WINNER MICHAEL MAYER
PREVIEW PERFORMANCES BEGIN MARCH 24, 2010
OPENING NIGHT IS APRIL 20, 2010 AT THE ST. JAMES THEATRE
Producers Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman announced today that following the record-breaking and critically acclaimed engagement at Berkeley Rep, the production will begin previews on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 and open on Broadway Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44 Street). The Broadway cast will be announced shortly. WORLD PREMIERE AT BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE
MUSIC BY MULTI GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING BAND GREEN DAY
LYRICS BY GREEN DAY’S BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG
BOOK BY BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG & MICHAEL MAYER
DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD WINNER MICHAEL MAYER
PREVIEW PERFORMANCES BEGIN MARCH 24, 2010
OPENING NIGHT IS APRIL 20, 2010 AT THE ST. JAMES THEATRE
Based on the Reprise Records Grammy® Award-winning album of the same name, AMERICAN IDIOT features the music of Green Day and the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The show is directed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), who also collaborated with Armstrong on the book, and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Steven Hoggett (Blackwatch). The Tony-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) is the music supervisor, orchestrator and music arranger. In addition, Kitt also provided string arrangements for Green Day’s latest album 21st Century Breakdown.
“Experiencing American Idiot on stage in Berkeley was incredible,” says Billie Joe Armstrong. “We have really enjoyed working with Michael, Steven, Tom and the cast. The energy and chemistry of the group is contagious. Michael Mayer was able to bring life to the characters of American Idiot and Tom Kitt’s musical arrangements are breathtaking. We’re so proud that the show is coming to Broadway!”
Michael Mayer comments, “Green Day's iconic album is one of the most brutally honest, eloquent, and poetically theatrical responses to the post 9/11 world that I have encountered. I hear in these amazing songs the frustration and anger and dreams of a lost generation of Americans. Collaborating with Billie Joe and the band has been a mind-blowing thrill from day one.”
AMERICAN IDIOT follows working-class characters from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East, as they seek redemption in a world filled with frustration – an exhilarating journey borne along by Green Day’s electrifying songs. This high-octane show includes every song from the album, as well as several new songs from 21st Century Breakdown. Green Day won two Grammys ®– Best Rock Album and Record of the Year – for its multi-platinum American Idiot, which sold more than 12 million copies worldwide. Now the band brings this explosive album to the stage with the director of Spring Awakening, which won eight Tony Awards in 2007.
The cast of AMERICAN IDIOT collaborated with Green Day to record a new version of the hit single “21 Guns.” Produced by the band’s singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, the track was released by Reprise Records on December 22, 2009 for purchase through all digital retailers. “21 Guns” is the second single from Green Day’s gold album 21st Century Breakdown. The digital version of the track has gone platinum, selling more than one million downloads, earned 2010 Grammy® Nominations for “Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals” and “Best Rock Song”, while the video won three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September, including “Best Rock Video.”
The limited engagement of AMERICAN IDIOT at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre began previews on September 4, 2009, opened on September 16, 2009, extended twice and played its final performance on Sunday, November 15, 2009. AMERICAN IDIOT’s record breaking run brought in the biggest advance sale in the Theatre’s 41-year history, the biggest day at the box office, 17 of the top 20 days ever and due to ticket demand had to announce the first extension before it had played its first performance.
“American Idiot is that rare and tricky creature, a true rock opera,” says Charles Isherwood of The New York Times. “Directed with polish and precision by Michael Mayer, American Idiot has its own voice: bitter and melancholy, attuned to an era more doubting than hopeful. Perhaps most strongly — and promisingly? — the show’s story of young men on a confused search for themselves during a time of changing social mores and foreign wars recalls Hair, the musical about the make-love-not-war generation. (Both musicals also do most of their storytelling in song.) Mournful as it is about the prospects of 21st-century Americans, the show possesses a stimulating energy and a vision of wasted youth that holds us in its grip.”
The show features scenic design by Tony-nominee Christine Jones (Spring Awakening), costume design by Baryshnikov fellow Andrea Lauer (The Butcher of Baraboo), lighting design by two-time Tony-winner Kevin Adams (Hair), Sound design by Obie Award-winner Brian Ronan (Cabaret), as well as video design by Darrel Maloney.
AMERICAN IDIOT will be produced on Broadway in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
12-22 - GREEN DAY WITH THE 'AMERICAN IDIOT' CAST, '21 GUNS'-- NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD
21 Guns featuring Green Day and the cast of American Idiot now available at iTunes: HERE.
12-08 - GREEN DAY WITH THE 'AMERICAN IDIOT' CAST, '21 GUNS'-- SONG PREMIERE
Green Day's latest recording of 21 Guns featuring the cast of American Idiot is finally here! Click HERE to launch the music player!
The song will ship to all radio formats on Friday, December 4th. This new version of the track features the band performing with the cast of American Idiot — the critically acclaimed stage version of Green Day’s chart-topping 2004 album that just completed a record-breaking three-month run at The Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Newly arranged by Tom Kitt, who is credited with the show’s arrangements and musical supervision, recorded at Green Day’s studio in Oakland, CA, and produced by singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong. It will be available for purchase from all digital service providers on December 22nd.
12-03 - SPINNER
Green Day fans curious to see how their arena-ready pop punk will translate to the Broadway stage can get a taste of what to expect with a new version of '21 Guns' performed by the 'American Idiot' cast alongside Billie Joe Armstrong and co. Featuring Tony Award-winner John Gallagher, Jr., the song captures the original's bombastic energy while re-working the arrangement for added theatrical flair.
Although most of the songs in 'American Idiot' will come from the album of the same name, '21 Guns' is one of the few from Green Day's most recent album '21st Century Breakdown' to be included in the show. According to Armstrong, "We wanted to record '21 Guns' because it represents a pivotal moment in the show when the lead character ... realizes he needs to get his s--- together."
And as for the final product? "I couldn't be happier. It's great to have something out there for people to hear who didn't get to see the show."
[Full article at Spinner]
12-02 - PRESS RELEASE
BURBANK, Calif. - (Business Wire) Multi-platinum rock band Green Day globally premiere a brand-new version of their platinum-selling single “21 Guns” on http://www.spinner.com/aolmusic on Thursday, December 3rd. The song will ship to all radio formats on Friday, December 4th. This new version of the track features the band performing with the cast of American Idiot — the critically acclaimed stage version of Green Day’s chart-topping 2004 album that just completed a record-breaking three-month run at The Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Newly arranged by Tom Kitt, who is credited with the show’s arrangements and musical supervision, recorded at Green Day’s studio in Oakland, CA, and produced by singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong. It will be available for purchase from all digital service providers on December 22nd.
Prominently featured on the track are American Idiot cast members John Gallagher, Jr., who won a Tony Award in 2007 for Spring Awakening, Matt Kaplan, Michael Esper, Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange), Christina Sajous, and Mary Faber. Though the bulk of the songs in the musical are taken from American Idiot, four songs from the band’s current gold album 21st Century Breakdown, including “21 Guns,” are featured in the show.
“We wanted to record ’21 Guns’ because it represents a pivotal moment in the show when the lead character, sung by John Gallagher, Jr., realizes he needs to get his stuff together,” says Armstrong, who collaborated on the story for American Idiot with Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening). “After the show wrapped, we headed straight to Oakland with the cast to record, and they sung the hell out of it. I couldn’t be happier. It’s great to have something out there for people to hear who didn’t get to see the show.”
Green Day, which also includes bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool, had cameras rolling in the studio while they recorded the track and plan to release an accompanying video. More details on that will follow shortly.
“21 Guns” is the second single from Green Day’s gold album 21st Century Breakdown. The digital version of the track has sold more than one million downloads, while the video won three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September, including “Best Rock Video.” The band recently completed a sold-out European tour and took home their second American Music Award for “Favorite Alternative Music Artist” in November. They will perform on NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly on December 31st. The band is currently on tour in Australia and New Zealand.
11-19 - PRESS RELEASE
GREEN DAY TO RECORD NEW VERSION OF HIT SINGLE “21 GUNS” WITH CAST OF HIT MUSICAL AMERICAN IDIOT
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN LATE NOVEMBER
DIGITAL SINGLE FOR “21 GUNS” ALBUM VERSION CERTIFIED PLATINUM
November 19, 2009— Burbank, CA — Multi-platinum rock band Green Day are in the studio this week recording a new version of their hit single “21 Guns” with the cast of American Idiot — the critically acclaimed stage version of the band’s 2004 album that has been playing at Berkeley Rep since early September. The band’s singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong is producing the track, which will impact radio at the end of November and be made available for purchase through all digital retailers.
Green Day, which also includes bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool, are shooting a video for “21 Guns” with the American Idiot cast. American Idiot premiered at Berkeley Rep on September 4th and was extended through to November 15th due to record-breaking sales and unprecedented demand for seats. Called “the hottest fall theatre ticket,” by the San Jose Mercury News, American Idiot brought Green Day’s blockbuster album to life in a show staged by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), who collaborated with Armstrong on the story.
“21 Guns” is the second single from Green Day’s gold album 21st Century Breakdown. The digital version of the track has gone platinum, selling more than one million downloads, while the video won three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September, including “Best Rock Video.” The band recently completed a sold out European Tour and will next appear on the American Music Awards on November 22nd, followed by NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly on December 31st.
www.greenday.com
11-11 - GREEN DAY'S 'AMERICAN IDIOT' MAY BE BROADWAY BOUND
Green Day's 2004 album American Idiot was not just a grand critical and commercial success for the veteran punk trio but also a total reinvention of their outlook as well as a kickstart to the second act of their career. Recently, it became yet another point of transition for the band. "American Idiot," the musical based on the songs from the original album, opened two months ago at the Berkely Repertory Theater, and now it appears as though the play will be making its way to Broadway. According to Playbill, the November 15 closing date in Berkeley won't be the end for it, as a casting notice made public yesterday indicates that it may be hitting the Great White Way in the near future.
However, at the moment there is neither a time frame established nor a theater booked. "There is a Broadway future for the show," spokesman Michael Hartman said. "But at this time no dates or theater are confirmed." "American Idiot" tells the story of a character named Johnny (also called Jesus of Surburbia) who lives in the fictional Jungletown, U.S.A. and escapes to the city to hustle, take drugs and chase the woman of his dreams. It features all of the songs from American Idiot as well as a handful of tunes from 21st Century Breakdown and some rarer cuts (including the never-released "When It's Time").
The show, produced by the same team that brought "Spring Awakening" to Broadway (and won the Tony for Best Musical), is the most successful production in Berkely Repertory's history.
[Full article at MTV]
11-09 - BROADWAY FUTURE IS CONFIRMED FOR AMERICAN IDIOT
Just as the characters in Green Day's rock musical American Idiot search for meaning in a chaotic world, so do the fans of that show's score seek an answer to a larger question: When is it coming to Broadway?
A casting notice made public on Nov. 9 indicates that producers are indeed planning a Broadway move for the hot-selling, critically-praised American Idiot, currently playing an extended world-premiere run in Berkeley, CA, through Nov. 15. Until the appearance of this industry casting alert, there has only been mention of a hope for a commercial life for the Michael Mayer-directed musical. "There is a Broadway future for the show, but at this time no dates or theatre are confirmed," spokesman Michael Hartman told Playbill.com on Nov. 9.
The casting notice does not indicate a production schedule or timeline for the dark-hued rock musical, which borrows songs from the punk album of the same name, plus numbers from Green Day's latest album, "21st Century Breakdown."
As was known, Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman are the lead producers; they were also behind the Tony Award-winning production of Spring Awakening, for which Mayer won a Tony for Best Direction of a Musical.
American Idiot has music by Green Day, lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong and book by Armstrong & Michael Mayer. As he did at Berkeley Repertory Theater, Mayer will direct the Broadway production, with choreography by Steven Hoggett, music supervision by Tom Kitt, music direction by Carmel Dean, general management by Abbie M. Strassler and casting Jim Carnahan & Carrie Gardner.
[Full article at Playbill.com]
11-06 - AMERICAN IDIOT TRAILER
10-30 - GRAB YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR AMERICAN IDIOT
The show that has broken box-office records and ROCKED audiences has only 23 performances left – it must close November 15. Good seats are still available! Check out our special Saturday night performances – tickets are half-price if you’re under 30!
Treat yourself to the American Idiot Halloween party this Saturday. Come in costume and your first drink before the show is on Berkeley Rep. Costume contest after the show with a great Idiot memorabilia prize package for the winner. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm, post-show party about 9:30! Or join us for our special late-night performances at 10pm Saturdays, November 7 and 14.
Reserve your seats now. Click http://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/0910/3634.asp now or call 510 647-2949 Tue – Sun noon – 7pm!
10-24 - GREEN DAY'S 'AMERICAN IDIOT' TAKES CENTER STAGE
View more news videos at: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/video.
The ever-evolving East Bay punk scene has already hit the big time but may be headed to Broadway. Green Day’s “American Idiot” has been adapted for the stage and is making its world premiere at the Berkeley Rep, as Billie Joe, Mike and Tré’s Grammy-award winning, multi-platinum album has been taken to another dimension.
[Full article at NBC Bay Area]
10-17 - BERKELEY REP TAKES SPOTLIGHT AS BROAWAY STAR
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is fast emerging as one of Broadway's most important "farm teams," and that's good news not only for the East Bay theater, but perhaps for Bay Area theater in general.
In the past couple of weeks alone: The Rep's production of Carrie Fisher's "Wishful Drinking" opened in New York to rave reviews. The New York Times added its voice to the chorus of positive reviews for the Rep's current production of the Green Day musical, "American Idiot." And Associate Artistic Director Les Waters flew to New York to ready the Rep's "In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)" for its Nov. 19 opening.
[Full article at SF Gate]
10-10 - NEW YORK TIMES
BERKELEY, Calif. — Options for the future appear limited for the idle young men depicted with harsh conviction in the arresting new musical “American Idiot” at Berkeley Repertory Theater here. They can choose to get high, go to war or sink permanently into the couch.
None of these promises much in the way of happiness, but then these dead-eyed suburban slackers — bored, disaffected, cynical about their own cynicism — hardly have the energy for grabbing brass rings. “I don’t care if you don’t care,” they sing, punching one another’s shoulders listlessly. That catchy chorus typifies their default attitude to life in 21st-century America. Raised in front of glowing screens, their experience mediated by technology, they abdicate responsibility even for their own affectlessness, and expect everyone else to feel the same way.
“American Idiot,” which is inspired by and includes all the music from the hugely popular 2004 album of the same title from the trio Green Day, is that rare and tricky creature, a true rock opera. Directed with polish and precision by Michael Mayer (“Spring Awakening”), who collaborated with Billie Joe Armstrong, the band’s frontman and lyricist, on the fragments of monologue that constitute the book, it expresses its vision through the weaving together of songs from the album, as well as a few B sides and four selections from the band’s newest collection, “21st Century Breakdown.”
[Full article at NY Times]
10-08 - SNEAK PEAK: GREEN DAY'S 'AMERICAN IDIOT ' MUSICAL
Green Day: Aficionados of fire and helicopters, high-powered machine guns, and … the fine art of theatre. As you may recall, a new musical based on the band's 2004 concept album American Idiot opened this September at Berkeley, CA's Repertory Theater. So what are you missing?
The production's script was co-written by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and Tony Award-winning Spring Awakening director Michael Mayer, and -- as the trailer connotes -- it closely adheres to the album's concept: a sonic melodrama following Ritalin-addled anti-hero protagonist Jesus of Suburbia and his pals, St. Jimmy and Whatsername.
[Full article at Spin.com]
10-05 - AMERICAN IDIOT TRAILER
10-04 - GREEN DAY MUSICAL IS RECORD BREAKER FOR BERKELEY
Sorry Princess Leia, Tony Kushner and you folks from the Tectonic Theater Project who compiled "The Laramie Project," but it looks like you just weren't punk enough.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced today that "American Idiot," its new musical based on the rock band Green Day's Grammy-winning 2004 album of the same name, has shattered all of the 41-year-old company's box office records. Of course, the trio of East Bay suburbanites had a home-court advantage, given its roots in the Berkeley punk scene of the early 1990s.
[Read the full article at LA Times]
09-30 - AMERICAN IDIOT MUSICAL EXTENDED
Starting today, you have access to the last block of seats for the hottest ticket in the Green Day nation – American Idiot, enjoying its world premiere at the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Berkeley Rep has added two final weeks of performances to meet the overwhelming demand for tickets. American Idiot will close for good on Sunday, November 15.
“ROCK ON,” screams the Bay Area News Group. Green Day won two Grammys for its multi-platinum American Idiot. Now those searing songs have super-charged the stage in a show hailed as “WILDLY ENTERTAINING” by the SF Chronicle. This high-octane show features every track from the album, plus several new tunes from 21st Century Breakdown. With an on-stage band and a cast of 19, American Idiot is taking audiences on an exhilarating journey borne along the band’s electrifying songs.
Tickets for these added performances start at only $45 – half that if you’re under 30. Act now to get the best choice of seats. For info, buzz, video, and tickets, visit Berkeley Rep online or call 1-510-647-2949, Tue – Sun, noon – 7pm.
AMERICAN IDIOT
music by Green Day
Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong
Book by Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer
Choreographed by Steven Hoggett
Directed by Michael Mayer
World premiere
Must close November 15, 2009
09-24 - GREEN DAY ARE BEYOND SATISFIED
'It's like going to your own funeral,' Billie Joe Armstrong says. Last week saw the debut of "American Idiot," the musical based on characters from Green Day's multi-platinum 2004 rock opera of the same name. The show, which contains all the songs from American Idiot, as well as a handful of tunes from the band's most recent album, 21st Century Breakdown, is directed by Michael Mayer, the mind behind the Tony-winning rock hit "Spring Awakening."
Though the band obviously came from a punk background, the inspiration for "American Idiot" is a little more classic. "Outside of the Who, no one has really gone in that direction before," Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told MTV News while hanging out backstage at rehearsals for the MTV Video Music Awards. "Just to even say that we're doing the same thing that the Who was doing, it's just uncharted territory."
He's also been blown away by the way the show has come together, and by the talent of the people working on it. "Michael Mayer is great; the cast is great," Armstrong said. "They're really passionate as artists. They put everything they possibly can into it. They're not trying to make it big and Hollywood. They're artists, and that's the most inspiring thing."
The play, staged at the Berkeley Repertory Theater (just a stone's throw away from 924 Gilman Street, the club where the band got its start 20 years ago), will run through November 1, and they hope they can keep it alive and bring it to Broadway. But even if this is as far as it goes, the band is "beyond satisfied" with the results. "We didn't know what to expect," Armstrong said. "The way that the vocal arrangements are coming out, the band sounds good. It's kind of like going to your own funeral. It's great!"
09-21 - LIVE WITHOUT WARNING
With all the fervor surrounding the Berkeley Repertory Theatre's production of "American Idiot," it's easy to forget all the excitement that the Green Day album of the same name generated back in 2004. It was less concentrated-the production "American Idiot" set the Bay Area theater community aflame for weeks before its premiere-but nearly every teenager in the United States had some opinion of Green Day that year. For radio listeners, it was impossible to escape "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" or "Holiday," and every time the latter's opening chords rang out, it was harder not to think of President Bush and his war.
Even for a punk album, American Idiot was daring, and while many eventually revolted against its popularity, the work is a rare modern rock opera that has refused to disappear in time because the time it speaks about is not yet over. It is politically intense, confusing, hyperemotional and grandiose, and for that reason, it is still unforgettable.
Director Michael Mayer's stage adaptation of "American Idiot" is the same sort of thrill. The musical begins with politics: Recorded voices of what are presumably Fox News anchors and political talking heads slobber pro-American lines, while dozens of televisions, scattered around the walls of the stage, flash before protagonist Johnny (John Gallagher Jr.) and the cast launch into the song "American Idiot." A few songs later, Johnny's friend Tunny (Matt Caplan) enlists in the army, thanks to a persuasive military recruiter. But "American Idiot" buries politics in order to let the music dominate the production.
This decision to allow Green Day's songs to speak for themselves does emaciate the plot. Aside from a few monologues by Johnny, it is extremely barren, with songs from American Idiot and a few from this year's 21st Century Breakdown duct-taped together to create a very rough outline of a story. The three main characters-Johnny, Will and Tunny-begin the musical together, but they quickly go their separate ways. Tunny goes off to war, and not shockingly, you soon find him in a hospital; Johnny's other friend Will (Michael Esper) finds that his girl Heather (Mary Faber) has become pregnant during "Dearly Beloved," and his apathy toward the new child leads her to leave him. And Johnny himself? He follows the album's trajectory, creating a ghoulish, drug-dealing alter ego named St. Jimmy (Tony Vincent) to stimulate his pleasure sensors, which also get a good deal of action from Whatsername (Rebecca Naomi Jones).
Aside from the general, do-a-bit-of-everything cast, these characters are the driving force and emotional thrust of the play. Gallagher Jr. plays the slovenly Johnny with ease, slurring out his lines and cracking self-deprecating half-grins. His voiceless interactions with Jones stay in the realm of physical expression, which Gallagher Jr. excels at throughout the play as head bangs and thrashes his way across the stage. Esper and Caplan are slightly more peripheral, but their performances add to the dark aura. Esper's Will is so disinterested that he's almost catatonic, and Caplan's best moments come in the form of facial expressions of wide-eyed fright. But Tony Vincent's St. Jimmy truly hypnotizes. Adorned in gothic artillery and sporting tattoos on his right arm, Vincent skulks around, cackling and menacing his way about the stage. As an alter ego, he doesn't have any self-reflective monologues, but Vincent does better as the silent devil on Johnny's shoulder, slyly goading him into heroin use and taking his small performance time to deliver the line "My name is St. Jimmy, I'm a son of a gun" with a razor tone. It's nearly impossible to take your eyes off him.
All the actors give their best within a plot, which, however thin, needs to be there; while American Idiot the album didn't need any clear plot to be successful, theater is more demanding. But the story is just a formality. Rather than Green Day music set to a performance, the Berkeley Rep's "American Idiot" is a performance set to the music of Green Day. You don't hear "Wake Me Up When September Ends" because it fits the scene; you see a scene because "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is the eleventh track on American Idiot. The plot is rendered secondary here, but it hardly matters because "American Idiot" is just so excessive.
That's the greatest function of the musical: visual eye candy. Actors climb over staircases, tip over towers, play air guitar and convulse on couches. Nearly all of the musical is extreme in its physicality, which rarely fails to entertain. "American Idiot" is a music production for the Internet generation; it's short and wry, but most of all, it's passionate, fierce and uncompromising in its delivery. It's hardly nuanced-the musical doesn't take many breaths, and it feels like actors are always itching to bustle about. It's a ridiculous sight, watching grown men jump on furniture, but their intensity is strong enough that you're willing to go along with it.
Of course, not everyone will be satisfied with a makeshift story and nonstop action. When Johnny asks "Is this the end or the beginning?" near the conclusion of the piece, it's true that it is not exactly clear. Tunny comes back from war, Will's girl returns to him once more with his child and a new man, Johnny sheds his St. Jimmy skin, and nothing really has changed.
But the missing revelation is the point. "American Idiot" is certainly audacious, but it's more about desperation than it is about hope, which is appropriate for this decade and for a generation that saw the tragedy of 9/11, the birth of two wars and the current economic crisis. This is topical, glitzy theater, an immersive experience blown up to ridiculous proportions, and it's so involving that any qualms you feel will have to come after the performance. "American Idiot" might be a circle, but it manages to make going nowhere a thrill of its own
[Full article at DailyCal]
09-19 - WATCH A CLIP FROM THE NEW MUSICAL
American Idiot: Green Day talks with KTVU.com: HERE.
09-18 - NEW YORK TIMES
MOMENTS before the opening curtain of “American Idiot,” the musical theater debut of the punk band Green Day, a T-shirted house manager took the stage at Berkeley Repertory Theater for the tradition of reminding audience members to turn off their cellphones and unwrap their candies.
This being a musical by Green Day, though, it wasn’t your typical curtain speech.
“Are you ready to rock tonight?” shouted the house manager, John Gay. And sure enough, the crowd roared back, “Yeah!”
[Full article at New York Times]
09-18 -
Even for a punk album, American Idiot was daring, and while many eventually revolted against its popularity, the work is a rare modern rock opera that has refused to disappear in time because the time it speaks about is not yet over. It is politically intense, confusing, hyperemotional and grandiose, and for that reason, it is still unforgettable.
Director Michael Mayer's stage adaptation of "American Idiot" is the same sort of thrill. The musical begins with politics: Recorded voices of what are presumably Fox News anchors and political talking heads slobber pro-American lines, while dozens of televisions, scattered around the walls of the stage, flash before protagonist Johnny (John Gallagher Jr.) and the cast launch into the song "American Idiot." A few songs later, Johnny's friend Tunny (Matt Caplan) enlists in the army, thanks to a persuasive military recruiter. But "American Idiot" buries politics in order to let the music dominate the production.
This decision to allow Green Day's songs to speak for themselves does emaciate the plot. Aside from a few monologues by Johnny, it is extremely barren, with songs from American Idiot and a few from this year's 21st Century Breakdown duct-taped together to create a very rough outline of a story. The three main characters-Johnny, Will and Tunny-begin the musical together, but they quickly go their separate ways. Tunny goes off to war, and not shockingly, you soon find him in a hospital; Johnny's other friend Will (Michael Esper) finds that his girl Heather (Mary Faber) has become pregnant during "Dearly Beloved," and his apathy toward the new child leads her to leave him. And Johnny himself? He follows the album's trajectory, creating a ghoulish, drug-dealing alter ego named St. Jimmy (Tony Vincent) to stimulate his pleasure sensors, which also get a good deal of action from Whatsername (Rebecca Naomi Jones).
Aside from the general, do-a-bit-of-everything cast, these characters are the driving force and emotional thrust of the play. Gallagher Jr. plays the slovenly Johnny with ease, slurring out his lines and cracking self-deprecating half-grins. His voiceless interactions with Jones stay in the realm of physical expression, which Gallagher Jr. excels at throughout the play as head bangs and thrashes his way across the stage. Esper and Caplan are slightly more peripheral, but their performances add to the dark aura. Esper's Will is so disinterested that he's almost catatonic, and Caplan's best moments come in the form of facial expressions of wide-eyed fright. But Tony Vincent's St. Jimmy truly hypnotizes. Adorned in gothic artillery and sporting tattoos on his right arm, Vincent skulks around, cackling and menacing his way about the stage. As an alter ego, he doesn't have any self-reflective monologues, but Vincent does better as the silent devil on Johnny's shoulder, slyly goading him into heroin use and taking his small performance time to deliver the line "My name is St. Jimmy, I'm a son of a gun" with a razor tone. It's nearly impossible to take your eyes off him.
All the actors give their best within a plot, which, however thin, needs to be there; while American Idiot the album didn't need any clear plot to be successful, theater is more demanding. But the story is just a formality. Rather than Green Day music set to a performance, the Berkeley Rep's "American Idiot" is a performance set to the music of Green Day. You don't hear "Wake Me Up When September Ends" because it fits the scene; you see a scene because "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is the eleventh track on American Idiot. The plot is rendered secondary here, but it hardly matters because "American Idiot" is just so excessive.
That's the greatest function of the musical: visual eye candy. Actors climb over staircases, tip over towers, play air guitar and convulse on couches. Nearly all of the musical is extreme in its physicality, which rarely fails to entertain. "American Idiot" is a music production for the Internet generation; it's short and wry, but most of all, it's passionate, fierce and uncompromising in its delivery. It's hardly nuanced-the musical doesn't take many breaths, and it feels like actors are always itching to bustle about. It's a ridiculous sight, watching grown men jump on furniture, but their intensity is strong enough that you're willing to go along with it.
Of course, not everyone will be satisfied with a makeshift story and nonstop action. When Johnny asks "Is this the end or the beginning?" near the conclusion of the piece, it's true that it is not exactly clear. Tunny comes back from war, Will's girl returns to him once more with his child and a new man, Johnny sheds his St. Jimmy skin, and nothing really has changed.
But the missing revelation is the point. "American Idiot" is certainly audacious, but it's more about desperation than it is about hope, which is appropriate for this decade and for a generation that saw the tragedy of 9/11, the birth of two wars and the current economic crisis. This is topical, glitzy theater, an immersive experience blown up to ridiculous proportions, and it's so involving that any qualms you feel will have to come after the performance. "American Idiot" might be a circle, but it manages to make going nowhere a thrill of its own
[Full article at DailyCal]
09-19 - WATCH A CLIP FROM THE NEW MUSICAL
American Idiot: Green Day talks with KTVU.com: HERE.
09-18 - NEW YORK TIMES
MOMENTS before the opening curtain of “American Idiot,” the musical theater debut of the punk band Green Day, a T-shirted house manager took the stage at Berkeley Repertory Theater for the tradition of reminding audience members to turn off their cellphones and unwrap their candies.
This being a musical by Green Day, though, it wasn’t your typical curtain speech.
“Are you ready to rock tonight?” shouted the house manager, John Gay. And sure enough, the crowd roared back, “Yeah!”
[Full article at New York Times]
09-18 -
