American Idiot, a Bay Area Smash, Will Play to Nov. 15

By Kenneth Jones
30 Sep 2009

The new Green Day musical American Idiot has been extended again, now to Nov. 15, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California.

The world premiere is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer, who co-conceived the stage script with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. The project draws from the smash Green Day concept album "American Idiot" and includes songs from their new album "21st Century Breakdown."

The show is now the top-grossing show in the Rep's 41-year history with the biggest advance sale, the biggest day at the box office, and 17 of the top 20 days ever. Extended for three weeks even before it had its first performance, American Idiot now adds another two weeks.

The extension includes special shows at 6 PM and 10 PM on Saturdays, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14.

This is billed as the final extension for the show. For more information, call (510) 647-2949 or berkeleyrep.org.

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The show features the music of Green Day — vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tré Cool — along with Armstrong’s lyrics. Berkeley Rep presents American Idiot in association with Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman, the lead producers of Spring Awakening.

The production features choreography by Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett with Tony-winning composer Tom Kitt providing orchestrations, arrangements, and musical supervision. The design team includes Tony nominee Christine Jones (sets), two-time Tony winner Kevin Adams (lights), Baryshnikov fellow Andrea Lauer (costumes), and Obie Award-winner Brian Ronan (sound), as well as video designer Darrel Maloney. The music director is Carmel Dean and the associate choreographer is Lorin Latarro.

Tony-winning actor John Gallagher, Jr. plays Johnny, leading an ensemble of 19 young performers that also includes Matt Caplan as Tunny, Michael Esper as Will, and Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy with Mary Faber as Heather, Rebecca Naomi Jones as Whatsername, and Christina Sajous as the Extraordinary Girl.

American Idiot "follows working-class characters from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East, as they seek redemption in a world filled with frustration — an exhilarating journey borne along by Green Day's electrifying songs. This high-octane show includes every song from the album, as well as several new songs from '21st Century Breakdown.'"