The three added weeks represent 24 more performances at the Berkeley, CA, company's Roda Theatre. The run was originally to play only to Oct. 11. It will now end Nov. 1. Opening night is Sept. 16. Performances began Sept. 4.
"Record-breaking sales and unprecedented demand for seats" prompted the extension. Tickets go on sale online at 12:01 AM (PT) and by phone at noon (PT). Following an invited dress rehearsal Sept. 3, the show began on schedule Sept. 4 "with an insanely enthusiastic house," a spokesman said.
The show has built-in appeal: fans of the neo-punk group Green Day are interested to see how the "American Idiot" concept album characters and songs will come to life, and fans of the alt rock musical Spring Awakening want to see the latest work of its Tony Award-winning director (Michael Mayer), star (John Gallagher Jr.) and producers (Tom Hulce, Ira Pittelman). Hulce and Pittelman are attached to take the show from the not-for-profit Rep to a wider life if audiences and critics embrace the work.
To purchase tickets for American Idiot or for complete information on all upcoming shows, call Berkeley Rep's box office at (510) 647-2949 or toll-free at (888) 4-BRT-Tix or visit berkeleyrep.org.
* Green Day won two Grammys — Best Rock Album and Record of the Year — for its multi-platinum "American Idiot," which sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.
According to Berkeley Rep, "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.'"
The production features an onstage band and 19 young performers. Opening is Sept. 16.
Tony-winning actor Gallagher plays Johnny, leading a company 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, with Declan Bennett, Andrew Call, Gerard Canonico, Miguel Cervantes, Joshua Henry, Brian Charles Johnson, Lorin Latarro, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Chase Peacock, Theo Stockman, Ben Thompson, Alysha Umphress, Morgan Weed and Libby Winters.
The musical features the music of Green Day — vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tré Cool — along with Armstrong's lyrics. It is being staged by Tony Award-winning director Mayer, who collaborated with Armstrong on the story.
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.
