Whoa.
The musical may be a popular right now, but news that one featuring the music of Green Day’s American Idiot made me cringe a little (a “punk” musical!??!!?!?). But, then I thought a little more, and concluded that American Idiot is not – and could never become – High School Musical.
I stopped cringing.
Green Day’s “rock opera” is perfectly suited to a musical adaptation. The multi-platinum album IS a story: angst-y guitar and thoughtful lyrics examine the meaning of coming of age in contemporary America through anti-hero Jesus of Suburbia.
Since I am a fan of the album, and have had five years to recuperate from radio overplay, I might just have to see the musical when it is performed at Berkeley Repertory Theater September 4th through October 11th. Now that Boulevard of Broken Dreams is no longer hummed by 13 year-olds everywhere, I can begin to remember what the song meant to me the first time I heard it.
I'm down to see it too; it was an awesome album, until I started to hate how much it was overplayed-- agreed on all points.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I can reconcile making a rock opera into an actual stage show...but I did go see We Will Rock You (Queen musical) so I guess I can't really talk can I.
ReplyDelete