American Idiot Musical (Theatrical Production)

[J'net]

Hmmm well, then that is more comforting. Not that it REALLY matters though, lol.

Yeah, I saw the Berkeley Rep caps when I was there, so they've had them all along.

[Tripe]

Did you see this, people?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBq88sUQrgg...player_embedded

I haven't watched it yet cause my internet's sooo lame.

Watched it.

She is kinda annoying.

[GDM]

Hmmm well, then that is more comforting. Not that it REALLY matters though, lol.

Yes, I think we've all spent way too much money already on American Idiot. Gotta save up for opening night on B'way, folks! They will certainly have caps by then!

[Tripe]

Yes, I think we've all spent way too much money already on American Idiot. Gotta save up for opening night on B'way, folks! They will certainly have caps by then!

Yes, EVERYTHING will be more expensive by then!

[J'net]

Yes, EVERYTHING will be more expensive by then!

Hahaha - you said it Dorie! I'd better start putting pennies in a jar. That's about all I can spare right now!!!

[GDM]

Hahaha - you said it Dorie! I'd better start putting pennies in a jar. That's about all I can spare right now!!!

Ha... you better up that to nickles! The tickets alone will probably be over $100! Though I have floor and couch space for a few folks in Brooklyn. Unless somehow I move to the East Bay by then... haha.

[Abbey.]

A rather shallow review in my opinion...but nevertheless its out there....

Green Day Show Is Loud, Plotless

2009-09-29 04:00:01.1 GMT

Bloomberg

Review by Stephen West

Sept. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Green Day’s best-selling 2004 album

“American Idiot” has mutated into a rock opera at Berkeley

Repertory Theatre. It’s energetic, loud, visually stunning,

sometimes lyrical and often maddeningly opaque.

The story, such as it is, traces the lives of Johnny, Will

and Tunny, three angry young rock musicians who may or may not

be stand-ins for Billy Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool,

the three principals of Green Day.

The characters live in “an alien nation/Where everything

isn’t meant to be OK,” as they sing in the title song that

opens the show. So the guys make head-banging music together, go

drinking together and eventually rise to stardom (or self-

knowledge, or something) together.

Along the way, Tunny joins the Army and is shipped off to

Iraq. Will finds a girlfriend, Heather, gets her pregnant and

mopes around the house watching a lot of TV. Johnny gets hooked

on drugs by St. Jimmy, a glamorous sleaze of a smack dealer at

the punk clubs where the guys hang out.

The show, with almost no spoken dialogue, is essentially

one song performed after another -- a rock concert by a cover

band -- with lots of singing and dancing and carrying on by a

dozen attractively scruffy members of the ensemble. (Most of the

songs are from the “American Idiot” album, plus a few from

“21st Century Breakdown.”)

Visual Fireworks

The 90-minute production, co-written and directed by

Michael Mayer (“Spring Awakening”), offers plenty of visual

fireworks, with video projections on flat-panel screens arrayed

across the four-story back wall of the set, metal scaffolding

that rolls around the stage, luridly colorful lighting and

flashing strobes.

The cast delivers the goods, too. John Gallagher Jr. as

Johnny, Mary Faber as Heather and Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy are

standouts, showcasing strong singing voices and creating

memorable personas. For fans of the Grammy-winning album, this

world premiere of “American Idiot” the opera is a multimedia

extravaganza.

All the show needs is a coherent story and some three-

dimensional characters.

Through Nov. 1 at 2025 Addison St., Berkeley, California.

Information: +1-510-647-2949; http://www.berkeleyrep.org.

Rating: **1/2

[GDM]

A rather shallow review in my opinion...but nevertheless its out there....

Green Day Show Is Loud, Plotless

2009-09-29 04:00:01.1 GMT

Bloomberg

Review by Stephen West

All the show needs is a coherent story and some three-

dimensional characters.

I can agree with that... a little more depth and danger and the show will have it all.... but that is my opinion and I'll write it up when I get the chance. OK, I should really work now...

[incendiary girl]

Gotta save up for opening night on B'way, folks! They will certainly have caps by then!

I like the way you're thinking! I'm totally being optimistic and saving up!

[sallysimpson]

Ha... you better up that to nickles! The tickets alone will probably be over $100! Though I have floor and couch space for a few folks in Brooklyn. Unless somehow I move to the East Bay by then... haha.

And I have a queen sofa bed and two twin trundles. But ya gotta be ok with cats and independent when it comes to navigating NYC.

I can agree with that... a little more depth and danger and the show will have it all.... but that is my opinion and I'll write it up when I get the chance. OK, I should really work now...

I'm with you. Sleep first, then write

[Trina]

Don't think it's been said: It's been extended for the final time untill the 15th Nov and the IC is offering a pre-sale on tickets, i think..

[GDM]

Don't think it's been said: It's been extended for the final time untill the 15th Nov and the IC is offering a pre-sale on tickets, i think..

Yeah, I heard that rumor when I was there. Glad for the show and for Berkeley Rep's lifeblood that it got extended again. Great sign, folks! B'way here they go!

[MassHysteria]

Woot more time to save to go see it!

Here's some video from the Page to Stage discussions:

[justcause]

It's really interesting that the band were holding out for a movie version - and from what Michael Mayer says in that vid, it seems like it was their own concept. I recall stuff about Billie Joe working with a writer to come up with a screenplay, around the time the AI tour was winding up. I hope that still gets to happen - American Idiot, for me, has always been a vividly cinematic album.

[J'net]

It's really interesting that the band were holding out for a movie version - and from what Michael Mayer says in that vid, it seems like it was their own concept. I recall stuff about Billie Joe working with a writer to come up with a screenplay, around the time the AI tour was winding up. I hope that still gets to happen - American Idiot, for me, has always been a vividly cinematic album.

I think it would make a great movie, but the thing that would worry me about that idea is whether it would be made in a way that I personally could enjoy. One of the things I loved about the play (even though many reviewers were unhappy about it) was the fact that there was no dialogue. I enjoyed giving the characters and plot lines my own interpretations instead of having everything spelled out for me. I can't imagine they could get away with that same kind of treatment in a movie. However, I could be wrong on more than one count (it's happened before). It's possible that the right creative team could make it work with no dialogue OR that they could include dialogue and still make me happy. Hopefully I'll get to find out one day .

[sallysimpson]

I think it would make a great movie, but the thing that would worry me about that idea is whether it would be made in a way that I personally could enjoy. One of the things I loved about the play (even though many reviewers were unhappy about it) was the fact that there was no dialogue. I enjoyed giving the characters and plot lines my own interpretations instead of having everything spelled out for me. I can't imagine they could get away with that same kind of treatment in a movie. However, I could be wrong on more than one count (it's happened before). It's possible that the right creative team could make it work with no dialogue OR that they could include dialogue and still make me happy. Hopefully I'll get to find out one day .

I remember the movie idea being floated around in 2005, right before Bullet in a Bible dropped. At that time I thought it would make a great movie, but I agree with you, J'net -- I have a hard time picturing how the album could be parlayed into a film without having to add a ton of dialogue. I think the stage is a much better medium because the director et al have a ton more latitude for creative interpretation. And as expensive as putting on a B'way-bound show is, it's a pittence compared to a movie budget.

Plus, having seen both Tommy and Quadrophenia as films and on stage (Tommy as a musical, Quad performed by the Who with guest vocalist Billy Idol), I think the celluloid versions pale in comparison. You lose the urgency, energy and intensity that, in most cases, is far more immediate when seeing a show live. Even the Who performing either Tommy or Quad live on film is much, much better than either of the movies.

But, there's always a first time and perhaps there's a brilliant film director/music afficianado that's just waiting for such a challenge (maybe on this very forum). To that brave soul -- you've been served.

Edited September 30, 2009 by sallysimpson

[justcause]

I remember the movie idea being floated around in 2005, right before Bullet in a Bible dropped. At that time I thought it would make a great movie, but I agree with you, J'net -- I have a hard time picturing how the album could be parlayed into a film without having to add a ton of dialogue. I think the stage is a much better medium because the director et al have a ton more latitude for creative interpretation. And as expensive as putting on a B'way-bound show is, it's a pittence compared to a movie budget.

Plus, having seen both Tommy and Quadrophenia as films and on stage (Tommy as a musical, Quad performed by the Who with guest vocalist Billy Idol), I think the celluloid versions pale in comparison. You lose the urgency, energy and intensity that, in most cases, is far more immediate when seeing a show live. Even the Who performing either Tommy or Quad live on film is much, much better than either of the movies.

But, there's always a first time and perhaps there's a brilliant film director/music afficianado that's just waiting for such a challenge (maybe on this very forum). To that brave soul -- you've been served.

But from what Hulce and Mayer say, Green Day were not envisioning a musical movie - they had something that didn't use the songs at all. These guys seem to find that mystifying, but it makes sense to me - Green Day have already told this story thru music, so why would they do the same thing twice? K, if someone else comes along with a take on it - like Mayer did - that's different, but for the band themselves, I can't see that revisiting their (imo, perfect) work and just expanding it a little in another medium would advance anything for them artistically.

[J'net]

But from what Hulce and Mayer say, Green Day were not envisioning a musical movie - they had something that didn't use the songs at all. These guys seem to find that mystifying, but it makes sense to me - Green Day have already told this story thru music, so why would they do the same thing twice? K, if someone else comes along with a take on it - like Mayer did - that's different, but for the band themselves, I can't see that revisiting their (imo, perfect) work and just expanding it a little in another medium would advance anything for them artistically.

Well that sounds like something I could really get excited about - if it's done right by the right people.

[Tripe]

I found it interesting that the film version they were considering was to exclude the music!

The story stands alone, I suppose, but it could be anyone's story - disenfranchised suburban dude goes to the big city, meets a chick and gets addicted to drugs, breaks free and goes home. WIthout the music, it seems it could have been anyone's story of young adult angst with a fairly predictable ending.

The stage show can get away with a bit of a shallow story, I think, because of the grandioseness of the performance and the nature of live theater. And, of course, the music stands pretty strongly on its own.

Without the music, and with the expectation the movie-going public has for a pretty convoluted story-line these days...I think that movie would have been a tough sell indeed!

[MassHysteria]

I found it interesting that the film version they were considering was to exclude the music!

The story stands alone, I suppose, but it could be anyone's story - disenfranchised suburban dude goes to the big city, meets a chick and gets addicted to drugs, breaks free and goes home. WIthout the music, it seems it could have been anyone's story of young adult angst with a fairly predictable ending.

The stage show can get away with a bit of a shallow story, I think, because of the grandioseness of the performance and the nature of live theater. And, of course, the music stands pretty strongly on its own.

Without the music, and with the expectation the movie-going public has for a pretty convoluted story-line these days...I think that movie would have been a tough sell indeed!

I don't care if its Green Day brand, if they made an AI movie with NONE of the music, there is very little chance I would enjoy that.

[J'net]

I found it interesting that the film version they were considering was to exclude the music!

The story stands alone, I suppose, but it could be anyone's story - disenfranchised suburban dude goes to the big city, meets a chick and gets addicted to drugs, breaks free and goes home. WIthout the music, it seems it could have been anyone's story of young adult angst with a fairly predictable ending.

The stage show can get away with a bit of a shallow story, I think, because of the grandioseness of the performance and the nature of live theater. And, of course, the music stands pretty strongly on its own.

Without the music, and with the expectation the movie-going public has for a pretty convoluted story-line these days...I think that movie would have been a tough sell indeed!

Oh, absolutely! In the play, it's left up to the audience members to flesh out the story on their own, and I like that about it. In the movie, especially with no music, the story would have to be fleshed out by the makers of the movie. That's the part that would worry me. It could be wonderful or horrible, but I would be interested to see it (just as I was with the play, which I also thought could be wonderful or horrible).

[sallysimpson]

I don't care if its Green Day brand, if they made an AI movie with NONE of the music, there is very little chance I would enjoy that.

I'm with ya, MH. An AI anything without the music wouldn't be AI. The story arc -- what there is of it -- in AI is pretty sparse and is largely backdrop for the music, which is the heart of the whole enterprise.

Plus, every generation has some artistic representation of disillusioned youth and rebellion. It's a pretty common theme. You see similar story arcs in "Catcher in the Rye", "Lord of the Flies", "The Wild One", "Rebel without a Cause", "Hair", "Tommy", "Quadrophenia", "The Outsiders" (which Billie Joe watched alot when he was younger) -- and I'm sure others can come up with even more examples. I think you could even make a case for "Romeo and Juliet".

Green Day using that concept isn't revolutionary. What is revolutionary about AI (much more so than in 21C, in my opinion) was its intensity and its timing -- much of the country was still under whatever hypnotic power Bush had, and this album was a large, loud bucket of ice water. It was (and is) a wake-up call to think independently, a process that the JoS / Whatshername characters embody. Plus Billie Joe's knack for creating potent universal imagery in his lyrics is pretty amazing.

The story alone is frosting -- it's familiar. The music and our experience with it make AI a powerful. Anything less would be anger/rebellion for the sake of it -- aka Avril Lavigne.

[Abbey.]

TALES FROM A NON-BELIEVER

A dear friend of mine lives in Berkeley and has a subscription to the Berkeley Rep theater. I casually asked if she would be seeing AMERICAN IDIOT (I am not a blabbermouth to my friends about my love for Green Day because at my age it just seems weird and creepy) to which she responded she did and the following are her thoughts. I think this goes to prove there is a huge audience for this show outside the Green Day fan base.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GREENDAYLOVE AT 38: So when did you see American Idiot?

BERKELEY FRIEND: It was still in previews

GREENDAYLOVE AT 38: So what did you think?

BERKELEY FRIEND: Are you a fan of Green Day?

GREEN DAY LOVE AT 38: (gulp - holding back thoughts of how I am over the moon for them) yeah - I like them quite a bit.

BERKELEY FRIEND: Well I have heard their songs on the radio, and have never been a listener of their music but the show was tremendous!

GREEN DAY LOVE AT 38: How so?

BERKELEY FRIEND: I was convinced in the beginning that I was listening to a soundtrack - the band was AMAZING. And the performers had so much energy they were in constant motion.

GREENDAY LOVE AT 38: Would you have compared it to RENT?

BERKELEY FRIEND: Actually I would have compared it more to MOVING OUT (Billy Joel musical) because there was no dialague and it was more of a theatrical interpretation of the music.

GREENDAY LOVE AT 38: Interesting. How did you find it listening to the songs from the actors / chorus and not from Green Day

BERKELEY FRIEND: I preferred listening to it from the theatrical performance much more. I was so taken by the experience that I listened to AMERICAN IDIOT (the album) at home and I much prefered hearing the songs from the depth of many performers singing it than just Billie Joe's voice.

GREEN DAY LOVE AT 38: So interesting!!!

BERKELEY FRIEND: Yes, I would much prefer to listen to a cast recording of AMERICAN IDIOT than the Green Day original.

[thoroughlyme]

I don't think this has been posted, but for all you looking for glimpses of the musical, Berkeley Repertory has just fulfilled your wishes. They have released a 1 minute trailer of the musical featuring clips from it.

American Idiot Trailer

Edited September 30, 2009 by hpootpfan

[Abbey.]

holy sh!t. im feeling a little devil perched on my shoulder telling me to fly out there and see it. serious energy in that performance!

thanks for posting it.