Green Day's 'American Idiot' kicks off Raleigh stint with a BANG!

Review

After a successful run on Broadway, garnering positive reviews, "American Idiot" hits the road for a national tour. I heard that this show was explosive and very high energy, and they were right.

"American Idiot" is based on the book written by Michael Mayer and Green Day front-man Billie Joe Armstrong. All the music comes from the band's hit album of the same name as well as a few other songs written especially for the show.

The show follows three lifelong friends Johnny (Van Hughes), Will (Jake Epstein), and Tunny (Scott J. Campbell) forced to choose between their dreams and suburban life on their quest for true meaning. The three friends have the opportunity to leave their current world and move to the big city to follow their dreams. However, the unexpected keeps one at home while the other two move away. Johnny and Tunny then go their separate ways. Tunny joins the military and Johnny, well Johnny gets caught up in the fast lane.

The show's opening number "American Idiot" set the pace for the rest of the night. After that performance the audience knew they were in for a roller coaster ride, a non-stop almost two-hour ride.

It's a one-act show, which means there isn't an intermission and there are no set changes. This non-stop ride has very little dialogue between the characters. The story is told strictly through song and the movements of the ensemble help illustrate the story.

"It's unclassifiable as a theatre piece. It feels kinda like a musical theatre piece. It feels kinda like an opera. It feels like a movement piece at times. It feels like a rock concert at times. You can't classify what you're in for and you can't expect it," says Van Hughes trying to put into words what the show is.

Green Day's music is wonderfully placed throughout the show and the acoustic version of "Wake Me Up When September Ends" was very powerful. It was simple, no glitz or glamour, yet it tugged at the heart strings and was effective in portraying the characters emotions.

All-in-all the show was great, full of energy and emotions and the show comes full circle, which I like. Even though there wasn't an intermission, you don't miss it. Before you know it the show is over. Think of the show as an exercise routine with the encore of "Time of Your Life" as your cool down. You're gonna need that time to catch your breath.

And here's a warning for parents. This show touches on adult themes and situations, has a lot of adult language, as well as sexual content. One gentleman sat in front of me with his young son and after the show I overheard him say he wished he knew about the content before bringing his son. So here's your warning: Use your own discretion if you want to take your young Green Day fan to see the show.

Also, be sure to look out for Raleigh native Dan Grennes. He plays the bass on stage as part of the "American Idiot" band. He is one of the original band members from the Broadway show and is now a part of the touring show.

Here's an insider tip: Grennes and his band Uncle Pumpkin will play a show this Saturday at Deep South The Bar. Hughes told me himself that a few cast members will be at Saturday's show and will even perform. So you may want to check that out as well.

Oh, and the food truck rodeo outside the theatre on opening night was genius! It gave a modern meaning to dinner and a show. It was perfect! Audience members had a choice of six different food trucks and we didn't have to worry about being late for the show, because we were already there!