Based on Green Day’s award-winning album AMERICAN IDIOT, this musical reels in on emotions of current day issues as the cast takes us on the journey on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. The show features music of Green Day and the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong.
This smash-hit musical comes directly from a successful run on Broadway and tells the story of three friends and their life journeys. Confused between the life they want to lead and the one that they should it’s a look of not just dreams vs. reality but the pressures of society and the circumstances resulting from personal choices. Each of the three characters is on a quest for the true meaning of life in a post 9/11 world.
AMERICAN IDIOT begins it’s North American Tour starting in Toronto (December 28-January 15) the only Canadian stop scheduled at this time, and will continue to cities including Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Los Angeles, Dallas, and others.
The stage set is spectacular and I got chills several times from the visuals and voices. It’s a non-stop “rock opera” with a stellar cast including members from the Broadway stage run as well as Canadian Degrassi: The Next Generation star Jake Epstein. My 12 year old son was my date and I had wondered how much of the story he would understand. He is learning to play a few Green Day songs on his guitar so when we heard that the tour is coming to Toronto we knew it was a “must see”. I expect the questions to come out later as the show plays out in his mind.
The stage set is spectacular and I got chills several times from the visuals and voices. It’s a non-stop “rock opera” with a stellar cast including members from the Broadway stage run as well as Canadian Degrassi: The Next Generation star Jake Epstein. My 12 year old son was my date and I had wondered how much of the story he would understand. He is learning to play a few Green Day songs on his guitar so when we heard that the tour is coming to Toronto we knew it was a “must see”. I expect the questions to come out later as the show plays out in his mind.
Aside from the great performance by it’s cast it was interesting to note Jared Stein, the cool Music Director and Conductor who blended in with the set. It was great to watch him in action and to be able to explain to my kid about the importance of a stage production working as a team outside of the characters. One thing we both agreed on was that we wished the music was LOUDER!
This show is a great way to rock out 2011 and ring in the New Year! Tickets will sell out quickly to this limited run. There were a few kids at the show but all seemed to be in the “tween” age and up. Lots of air guitars in our row. Not recommended for younger kids – it would be lost on them and you’ll have a lot of explaining to do later. Note: sex, drugs and lots of swearing.
So, did my kid like it? Sure did! It’s been a couple days and no questions have come out of him yet. He says he pretty much understands the show. Hmm. He’s been practicing Wake Me Up When September Ends a lot and can’t wait till his next guitar lesson to tell his teacher. He’s also been telling his friends about how good the music was and from what I hear, their parents are taking them (and I’ve been following up with the warnings).
For ticket information, visit www.americanidiotthemusical.com