American Idiot

American Idiot is a great stage musical, with all the ingredients to capture the full attention of the audience for 90 minutes and leave them awe stricken. The all-consuming emotions of love and rage in the youth are captured fantastically and burn the stage with their depth. It is an adaptation of an album by a well-known rock band’s concept album by the same name. The production is directed by Michael Mayer, the lyrics are by Armstrong and the music is also written by Armstrong and band mates, Mike Drint and Tre’ Cool. American Idiot is a rare Broadway musical which experiments on pop and punk together. The album, from which the musical is derived and named after, was a huge success around the world, with more than 14 million copies being sold worldwide. The album received numerous awards including Grammy for Best Rock Album and was also acclaimed by the critics. The musical was an instant success with an outstanding cast, excellent vocals and superb music, all combined to develop an interesting story.

The story of American Idiot is an expansion from its concept album. It centers on three friends living in Suburbia (identified as Jingle town, USA), with the names of Johnny, Will and Tunny. The three plan to flee from their mundane life and head towards the exciting city life. Will’s girlfriend appears and tells him that she is pregnant with his child. Will decides to stay home; Johnny and Tunny catch the city bus with other jaded youth. Johnny wanders the city and pines for a woman, he sees in an apartment window. Tunny finds it hard to adjust in city life and enlist himself in the army. Frustrated by his friend’s departure and his inability to adjust himself in city life; Johnny conjures a rebellious, powerful image of himself as St. Jimmy and shoots heroine for the first time. He spends night with the woman he pined for and calls her Whatsername.

One day Jimmy gets hold of Johnny as he took too many drugs and became erratic. He tells Whatsername that he is leaving her for his friend Jimmy. She tells him that Jimmy is not a real person but just a fragment of his imagination developed due to his parents. Will and Heather’s baby is born and Will became oblivious to them. Heather leaves Will and takes the baby with her. During war Tunny is wounded and falls in love with the nurse who he calls the extraordinary girl. Jimmy makes a comeback in Johnny’s life but that part of Johnny has died resulting in the metamorphic suicide of Jimmy. Will goes to Seven Eleven, where they used to hang out in their early days and finds Johnny and Tunny there. Johnny has sold his guitar for the bus ticket back home and Tunny has returned with his girlfriend, the extraordinary girl. As he introduces his girlfriend, Heather comes with her boyfriend and gives the baby to Will after a truce. Other friends arrive and meet them. After a year, Johnny realizes that he has to live with the emotions of rage and love which has defined his life so far.

American Idiot has all the songs of its concept album, some B tracks as well as from 21^st Century Breakdown. The show moved to Broadway after the run at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2009 and officially opened for public on April 20, 2010.

The show had mixed to positive reviews from the critics but got an all-important, admiring review from The New York Times. American Idiot won two Tony Awards, 2010; one was for Best Scenic Design of the Musical for Christine Jones and other for Best Lighting Design of the Musical for Kevin Adams. It was also nominated for the Best Musical. The show became top grossing show in Berkeley Repertory history.

American Idiot provides the much needed break from the regular Broadway musical. The singers and musicians are extraordinary and the show gives you a chance to spend an amazing night out. The show depicts the present day youth with all their day to day issues. The youth of America is shown post 9/11. This is your chance to enjoy the music while an interesting story develops alongside. Do not miss your chance to watch an exciting musical; buy your American Idiot Ticket now and have a wonderful night out.