ORLANDO — Right in time for spring, Valencia Theater is ready to get crowds to stomp their feet and cheer on the music of Green Day’s concept album American Idiot when the sung-through rock musical has its local premiere.
American Idiot opens at Valencia College’s Black Box Theater on Friday, April 4, with 7 performances through April 12. Director John DiDonna noted that the production will feature “a cast of Valencia students, alumni, and professionals from the Central Florida community.”
What is American Idiot The Musical?
The 7th studio album by Green Day, American Idiot was released in September 2004 as a “punk rock opera” that followed the life of Jesus of Suburbia, a lower-middle-class teen anti-hero who shares the disillusionment of his generation.
The album’s popularity inspired Green Day’s lead vocalist and songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong and director Michael Mayer to create a sung-through musical version based on the album. Their musical expanded on the concepts from the album to focus on three disillusioned young men, Johnny, Will and Tunny, searching for meaning in their life.
The musical was launched with a run at the Berkeley Repertory Theater in 2009, and it then moved to the St. James Theatre on Broadway, where it ran for 422 performances. The score includes the songs from the album and some additional Green Day songs from their 2009 concept album 21st Century Breakdown.
The show won Tony Awards for Best Scenic Design of a Musical and Best Lighting Design, and the Broadway cast recording won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
Where Can I See American Idiot?
Valencia Theater’s production will be staged at Valencia’s Black Box Theater on the college’s East Campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando.
Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students, seniors, Valencia staff and alumni, and $7 for children 12 years old and under.
Tickets can be purchased at https://events.valenciacollege.edu/event/american-idiot-musical
To learn more, call Valencia’s box office at 407-582-2900 or email boxoffice@valenciacollege.edu
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright and author of the terrifying book “Bloody Rabbit”. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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