American Idiot on Broadway

Last week I was lucky enough to be able to catch one of the Final Performances of the Original Cast of Green Days "American Idiot" On Broadway.

I am a huge fan of Green Day, and this is one show I have been wanting to see since it hit Broadway in the Spring of 2010. I was even more excited when I found out that Green Days' own Billie Joe Armstrong would be performing as "St. Jimmy" for select performances.

American Idiot is Based on the 2004 Album of the same name. The story centers around three friends living in a post 9/11 suburbia. Bored with how their lives are, they set to leave their town and take off to find a new life and excitement in the city. Through a series of circumstances, including pregnancies and enlisting in the war, lead character Johnny is left without his friends. Frustrated Johnny conjures up a rebellious "alter ego" of himself, St. Jimmy. From there Johnny pretty much spins out of control and from there, fighting a battle between his love for a new girl and his love for the drugs.

I had never seen any sort of Broadway show before, so I had no idea what to expect when I entered the St. James Theatre last week. I took my boxed seat and settled in. American Idiot is one of the Broadway shows that has a GREAT deal for students. For day of tickets, students are eligible for 27$ tickets via the student rush ticket program. I thought this was so great!

The lead characters of American Idiot and the voices honestly blew me away. Johnny which was played by John Gallagher put on such a raw and honest performance. Female lead Whatshername played by the gorgeous Rebecca Naomi Jones has seriously one of the best voices I have ever heard in my entire life.

American Idiot is relate-able, entertaining and moving. I was mesmerized from the beginning to end. It is a musical that any teenager who strives to be noticed, who wants to live for the moment, and who just wants to find themselves can identify with.

Watching the entire cast it is clear to see that American Idiot is a labour of love, it is a musical that they perform night after night and you can tell that they genuinely enjoy their jobs.

As of today, the cast has changed and new "Idiots" have stepped into the roles. It was also recently announced that American Idiot will be going on tour in the Fall of 2011, with the touring cast to stop off in Toronto. I am already looking forward to seeing it again!

Kudos to Billie, and the rest of Green Day and everyone involved, for being able to take one of the best albums of the last decade and turn it into something even more amazing! Green Day is a band that I could write about forever, their music inspires generations and this story is timeless. If you can, add American Idiot to your list of "Must Sees".

for more information on AMERICAN IDIOT ON BROADWAY check out their website HERE