Most of you know Green Day by their most famous album cover. The hand is so intensely clutching a heart grenade that the blood is being drained out of it. But who would’ve known off-hand that the track list in hand with the lyrics to these displays of musical genius also known as songs. A sad, yet beautiful tale. The musical entitled” American Idiot” denotes just what the band was trying to epitomize in writing the music featured in this album.
The play started out a bit shaky with a wonderfully confusing introduction. The flow from the theatrical aspect of the production to the musical could have been improved. A clearer approach to the liaison between the two may have left the crowd hushed instead of the confused whispering of the audience around me. As the play progressed the story became clear with the help of the music. They coincided with one another quite harmoniously. The utilization of visual art, interpretive dance numbers, and an array of musical instruments complimented the stars’ singing abilities. The illustration created by the lyrics of the music, could not have been painted into a more beautiful musical mosaic.
Actor and singer Van Hughes did a wonderful job in sticking to his character, and was able to pull off a total dramatization of Green Day’s literal “Jesus of Suburbia”. Hughes played the convincing role of Johnny, a suburban wannabe who dreams of becoming a famous musician. Guided through obstacles by drug abuse, and a man he befriends (later to be referred to as St. Jimmyb), he never really gets anywhere, except back home. Johnny learns many life lessons on his adventure, but that’s all I’m willing to give away. You’ll have to go and see it for yourself!
The performance is going on downtown at the Oriental Theatre.
Click the photo featured above for ticket information.
