Screen shot from YouTube video of the American Idiot cast performing Green Day’s “Holiday” on The Late Show with David Letterman, April 29, 2010. Click the image to play the YouTube video.
July’s hottest temperatures are bringing Chris and I often to Broadway this summer! Last week, we finally got tickets to the highly anticipated show American Idiot based on the album of the same title by one of the greatest punk bands Green Day.
At rehearsal, Green Day, Michael Mayer, and Tom Kitt. Photo: Carole Litwin
American Idiot, directed by Tony Award winning director Michael Mayer, known for his direction of the Tony Award musical Spring Awakening, brought to Broadway life Green Day’s raging and poignant music. The musical’s book by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and Mayer captures a moment in all of our lives where disenchantment sometimes trumps optimism especially in the post 9/11 world. Told through the lives of young wannabes trying to escape their suburbia, the energetic rock opera keeps the momentum high.
The clever industrial minimal set by scenic designer Christine Jones and lighting designer Kevin Adams, both winning Tonys for their design, simply morphs into the narrative creating the urban panorama. The vibrant talented cast and band push the show’s pace from the beginning to the encore demonstrating their vocal and performing artistry. And the musical orchestration by Tom Kitt drives Green Day’s rock intensity while expanding Armstrong’s lush memorable anthems.
American Idiot is playing at the St. James Theatre.
