“The end of the world is over,” we’re advised in Green Day’s “American Idiot”, “and no one else seems to care.” That, in a nutshell, is the prevailing sentiment (if not the complete plot) of this explosive hit musical that can currently be seen at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles CA. Based on the group’s Award-winning concept album and nominated for three Tony Awards “American Idiot,” tells the story of three friends who, each in their own way, strike out “across the alien-ation” in search of meaning in our post 9-11 world.
(L to R) Scott J. Campbell, Van Hughes and Jake Epstein lead the National Tour of American Idiot at The Ahmanson Theater In LA
With a book by Lead-singer Billie Joe Armstrong and Director Michael Mayer, the story has been expanded into one long, lyric tone-poem centering on the lives of Johnny (also known as “The Jesus Of Suburbia”) and his pals Will, and Tunny. He narrates the action as if reading entries from a diary, and such brief comments are pretty much all the dialogue there is–the rest being entirely sung. Likewise, what makes the show unique is how most of the standard theatrical conventions have either been reworked or omitted altogether. The story is told in a single act with no intermission and instead of an overture we’re treated to a cacophony of “TV Babble“ consisting of a series of News and Commercial sound bites. The backdrop, comprised almost completely of flat screen video monitors, points up the omniscient invasion of television, computer-screens, smart-phones and other such devices into our lives–leading to an overwhelming sensory and information overload nearly every waking minute! In addition, the symbolism flashed onto those screens throughout can be quite affecting too; for instance, as the closing chords of the opening are heard, a shot of the good ol’ “Stars and Stripes” upside-down (a universal sign of distress) provides an unsettling commentary on the state (of mind) our heroes dwell in. Call this the next generation of “Poperas” that started back in the 1970’s with the likes of “Tommy”, “Evita” and “Jesus Christ Super Star”. If not as ostentatious as those predecessors, it is without a doubt, far more substantial! Then again, the truly awesome thing about “American Idiot” is how just when you’re thinking you’ve seen it all before, suddenly you know it’s like nothing you’ve seen before (–and you’re absolutely right!)
“Do you know what you’re fighting for?” Van Hughes is our narrator, Johnny-The Jesus Of Suburbia
Leading a talented and energetic team of performers, Van Hughes’ Johnny is amiable and relatable even when his situation isn’t. Our guide through this ‘brave new-wave under-world‘, Johnny spends his days, in his words, “Jerking off into oblivion” (–yes, the talk can be coarse at times but so are the sentiments they express.) Reminding us that “everyone’s heart doesn’t beat the same way,” Johnny and Tunny (played by Scott J. Campbell) flee “Jingle-town”, the stifling “City of the Damned” they call home in favor of the big city. Our boy Johnny, you see, has an axe to grind and it’s practically splitting his head open! Although at first he claims to have gotten the money for their trip by robbing a convenience store, he soon confesses that his mother actually bribed him with it in order to get him to leave! Once there, Johnny searches for love (or at least solace), finds a relationship with a girl known only as “Whatsername” (Gabrielle McClinton), and meets up with the seedy, malevolent drug-dealer, “St. Jimmy”. Much like the M.C. in “Cabaret”, “St. Jimmy” seems less of an actual character than the symbol of pure, wanton evil and it’s cleverly left for the individual spectator to decide whether he is, in fact, real or merely a figment of Johnny’s drug-fueled imagination. Either way, Joshua Kobak gives the role a thrilling and seductive presence!
Scott J. Campbell in “American Idiot.” The 2012 national tour of the smash hit, rock opera. Visit t
Tunny, on the other hand, quickly grows bored and joins the military. Upon enlisting, he and the other recruits dispiritedly exit the stage much like prisoners in a concentration camp entering the gas chambers. Meanwhile, their buddy Will stays behind with his pregnant girlfriend. His is one of the trickiest roles in the piece as much of what he has to do is continuously sit–in full view–on a couch situated down-stage right. Fortunately, as Will, Jake Epstein possesses a voice as big as the Ahmanson has ever seen, so when his turn comes to react or vocalize, it’s well worth waiting for! Close to the climax of the trio’s isolated adventures, they are rejoined–at least spiritually–via the song “Wake Me Up When September Ends”. Afterwards, Jonny, deciding to straighten out his life takes a job in an office. Nonetheless, backed by a chorus of suit-wearing, ‘sensibly-dressed’ office workers, one can’t help but feel wistful as light projections like silent ghosts wash up, over and away from them, obviously signifying the renunciation of youth and freedom.
Seductive but devious, Joshua Kobak is “St. Jimmy” (here with Van Hughes as the hapless “Johnny”)
Interspersed are some of the best, most evocative songs ever heard in a rock musical–among them, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams“, “21 Guns“, and of course, the rousing title number. Armstrong’s uncanny ability to find just the right word to describe or touch the right emotion easily ranks him among such other esteemed rock-poets as Jim Morrison or Bob Dylan. (Look extra close and you’ll see that several in the ensemble are done-up to look like him and band-mates Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool.) Here, such dynamic lyrics benefit beautifully with their added staging.
(Front L to R) Leslie McDonel, Gabrielle McClinton and Krystina Alabado in The 2012 national tour of the smash hit, rock opera.
The choreography by Olivier Award-Winner, Steven Hoggett consists largely of modern mosh pit moves and other contemporary tribal-like dances with many executed in unison by the entire company.
Scott J. Campbell and Nicci Claspell are floating on air in “American Idiot.”
There’s also a breath-taking dream ballet between Tunny and “The Extraordinary Girl” (Nicci Claspell,) an army nurse with whom he will fall in love, staged as a stunning and surreal pas-de-deux in mid-air with both suspended high above the stage! The last scene, when the three friends reunite as virtual strangers, and attempt to reconcile with whom each one is now after all they’ve been through apart, is apt to leave one with feelings more of uneasiness rather than full closure; however, in yet another departure from convention, the actual ‘finale’ occurs after the curtain call, when the cast, having already taken their bows reassembles, guitars in hand, and serenades the audience with “The Time Of Your Life”. Here at last is where the production’s ultimate message is delivered: “So make the best of this test and don’t ask why, it’s not a question but a lesson learned in time –It’s something unpredictable but in the end-it’s right.”
Jake Epstein in “American Idiot.” The 2012 national tour of the smash hit, rock opera.
As emotionally charged as a show can get, this might not be a ‘feel good” musical but it’s an important–even profound one. Speaking loudly to today’s audiences–from the young themselves, to those who still remember enough to feel memory’s sting from their own misspent yesterdays–all are bound to leave feeling more appreciative of what they have and have had–the good, the not-so-good and the painful included. “American Idiot” opened March 13 and will run through April 22, 2012 at The Ahmanson Theater located at: 135 North Grand Avenue, in Los Angeles. Tickets are available online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling (213) 972-4400, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center. This one most definitely will appeal to a broad cross section of theater-goers–provided they are willing to open their minds to it; then, it’s nothing short of a work of genius! So come and surely you too, will have the ‘time of your life‘!
Young but NOT sophomoric: The National Touring Company Of Green Day’s “American Idiot”
Photos by Doug Hamilton. Special Thanks to the Center Theater Group’s Media Relations AND the Box Office Staff of The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, CA. for making this story possible www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/Idiot
Buck-ing Trends 