Though admitting that the idea of taking 'American Idiot' to the musical stage 'doesn't make a lot of sense,' Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day is 'really excited' with the project.
- Mar 31, 2009
AceShowbiz - Green Day's 2004 studio album "American Idiot" has been confirmed to be adapted for a musical project of the same name. "It doesn't make a lot of sense," singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong tells New York Times. "But that's what I love about it. When people see it, it's going to be my wildest dream."
Worked on by Michael Mayer, Tony-winning director of "Spring Awakening", the stage adaptation will be debuted at the Berkeley Repertory Theater in California as the first production of the theater's 2009-10 season. It will run from September 4 through October 11.
"We are really excited to be working with Michael Mayer on this project," Billie says in a statement. "We'd been thinking of bringing 'American Idiot' to the stage, but knew we needed to find the right partners. After meeting with Michael to discuss the possibility, he invited us to see 'Spring Awakening'."
"We were so impressed with that production, as well as his vision for 'American Idiot', that we knew we'd found the perfect collaborator," Billy continues. "Plus, doing it in our hometown at Berkeley Rep was an obvious bonus. They're an amazing theater group, very adventurous, and their willingness to take chances is in keeping with the spirit of the album. The end result will be terrific, and we're really proud."
Creative team for the project remain silent when responding to questions on how the story of working-class people told in the album will be narrated on-stage. But, Michael himself has hinted that the show will likely center its story on three characters with names like Jesus of Suburbia, St. Jimmy and Whatshername.
"American Idiot" musical aside, Green Day have been recording new songs for their eight studio album "21st Century Breakdown". The effort will be dropped in U.S. on May 15, while "Knock Your Enemy", the lead single off the record, will be released sometime in April.
