It is hard to fathom that it has been 11 years since Green Day appeared in 2005 at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena in support of the band’s culturally significant “American Idiot” release.
If you were at this concert then you can attest to the rawness of this production, as well as its rich theatricality with a picture-perfect ending as the band selected one of the greatest rock anthems — Queen’s “We Are The Champions” — as one of their final songs of the night.
Fast forward four years and you quickly see the audience was not the only one thinking this album clearly had another channel of opportunity, as “American Idiot” the rock opera began its first run at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2009 before debuting on Broadway in April 2010 and is soon to be the subject of a new HBO film adaptation.
This concept album seamlessly transferred to the stage, with a few tweaks, into a full-blown rock opera that centers around three young people, Johnny, Will, and Tunny, and their quest to discover some meaning in their lives and, along the way, become more awake during a time when everything seems to be in flux around them in America. (It sort of sounds familiar to now, right?)
Finally, this rock musical is being made available to communities around the nation, enabling local voices to put their spin on this energetic production that not only includes the many great songs from the original recording, but also songs from Green Days’ album “21st Century Breakdown” and an original piece “When It’s Time.”
This musical could not be timed better, as it lands right at the end of our 2016 Presidential election campaign, providing the perfect escape from those seeking something loud and challenging from a punk rock trio — who I can honestly say I would have never expected to release a Broadway musical had you asked me during their “Dookie” (1994) years.
Admission: $22 - 28.
More Info