Thespian Thoughts Theatre Review – Green Day’s “AMERICAN IDIOT”
Theatre Review by SANDRO MONETTI – GREEN DAY’s “AMERICAN IDIOT”
“Riveting, refreshing and dazzling”
Electrifying and unforgettable, American Idiot is the most exciting musical of the 21st century – and to make such a big show soar in such a small space as LA’s MET Theatre is a testament to the talents of DOMA Theatre Company.
The same production team that brought large scale hits like Jesus Christ Superstar and Young Frankenstein to the intimate space have surpassed themselves here by making the recent Broadway rock opera a totally immersive theatrical experience.
Director Marco Gomez, choreographer Angela Todaro and musical director Chris Raymond are helped by an energetic, athletic and totally committed young cast of 25 who seem to be having as much fun as the audience with the attitude and outlook of Green Day’s music.
Adapted from that punk revivalist band’s smash hit 2004 album American Idiot, the story follows lifelong friends longing to leave suburbia for a life of adventure who find sex, drugs, rock n’ roll and a whole lot of heartbreak.
Jess Ford makes a charismatic lead as Johnny, Chris Kerrigan a sympathetic foil as Tunny and Andrew Diego is devilish as St Jimmy.
Featuring anthemic hits like Boulevard of Broken Dreams, 21 Guns, Wake Me Up When September Ends and the title track, American Idiot is a toe tapping, riveting, refreshing and dazzling delight which I can’t recommend highly enough.
Green Day’s American Idiot runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. from June 5 through July 26 (dark July 4). Tickets range from $30–$34.99; seniors and students with ID pay only $20.
The MET Theatre is located at 1089 N. Oxford Ave., Los Angeles CA 90029. For reservations, call (323) 802-9181 or go to Doma Theatre
(Content Warning: American Idiot contains adult content and strong language. For mature audiences.)
• Music by Green Day
• Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong
• Book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer
• Directed by Marco Gomez
• Musical direction by Chris Raymond
• Choreography by Angela Todaro
• Produced by Marco Gomez, Dolf Ramos and Chris Raymond
•Cast includes: Jess Ford, Chris Kerrigan, Wesley Moran, Andrew Diego, Jackee Bianchi, Renee Cohen, Cassandra Nuss.
•Presented by DOMA Theatre Company
• Publicity by Lucy Pollak
Thespian Thoughts is a theatre review article on Actors Entertainment, a channel on the Actors Podcast Network, a Pepper Jay Production.
