Gallagher, Jr. Sings on New Version of "21 Guns" in Digital Release | Playbill

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News Gallagher, Jr. Sings on New Version of "21 Guns" in Digital Release A new version of Green Day's "21 Guns," featuring Tony Award winner John Gallagher, Jr. and the cast of the new musical American Idiot, is now available for download at online music retailers.
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John Gallagher Jr. and Tony Vincent in American Idiot at Berkeley Rep. Photo by mellopix.com

Released Dec. 29, the latest version of "21 Guns" features lead vocals by Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening), as well as American Idiot co-stars Matt Caplan and Michael Esper, according to Gallagher Jr.'s Twitter feed. Additional cast members from the Berkeley Rep world premiere, including Rebecca Naomi Jones, Christina Sajous and Mary Faber, are also featured on the single.

The latest release is different from the Dec. 22 release of "21 Guns" that featured Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong on lead vocals and the American Idiot cast.

Though the new musical takes its inspiration from the Green Day album of the same title, this song is the second single from Green Day's gold album "21st Century Breakdown," parts of which are heard in the Tom Kitt-arranged score of the stage production of American Idiot.

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A Broadway life for American Idiot is expected in 2010, but nothing has been officially announced. The world premiere was presented at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in fall 2009.

Green Day singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong produced the single. In a statement Armstrong said, "We wanted to record '21 Guns' because it represents a pivotal moment in the show when the lead character, sung by John Gallagher, Jr., realizes he needs to get his stuff together. After the show wrapped, we headed straight to Oakland with the cast to record, and they sung the hell out of it. I couldn't be happier. It's great to have something out there for people to hear who didn't get to see the show."

Green Day also features bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool. American Idiot, the musical, was staged by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), who collaborated with Armstrong on the story.

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The cast of American Idiot at Berkeley Rep. Photo by mellopix.com
 
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