American Idiot the musical, follows the story of three friends, Johnny, Tunny, and Will as they navigate the world in a post 9/11 America. The musical was written by Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong, and director Michael Mayer and draws themes from the American Idiot Album. All of the music from the show is drawn from Green Day’s discography, featuring hit songs like, “American Idiot”, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, and many more Green day hits.
Backgroud
With the release of Green Day’s 2004 album American Idiot, Director Michael Mayer approached Green Day, about adapting the album into a stage play. With the frontman Billie Joe Armstrong abandoning the first person, adapting to fictional personas throughout the album, and speaking to the reality of post-9/11 America, the musical expands on many of the themes of the album. The show premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009 and there have since been several other notable productions of the show, notably the Broadway production (2010 – 2011) where Billie Joe Armstong played the role of St, Jimmy from Septemeber 28th to October 3rd 2010. Billie also made 50 more appearances through the show’s running period.
Characters
The musical features 7 principal cast members;
Johnny: The main protagonist. The show follows his picaresque story of, nihilism, drug abuse, and lost love.
Tunny: One of Johnny’s two friends, he originally follows Johnny on his journey to a better life in the city, but soon leaves for the military where he is sent off to war, and subsequently loses a leg. While in rehab, he falls in love with his nurse.
Will: Johnny’s other friend, Will plans to accompany the other two to the city, but after finding out his girlfriend is pregnant, is forced to stay behind, as he struggles with drug and alcohol-infused depression.
St. Jimmy: An adversary of Johnny who is created through Johnnys’ drug and alcohol problems.
Whatsername: The attractive young woman who Johnny falls in love with on his journey. However eventually realizes how destructive their relationship is, and leaves him.
Heather: Will’s pregnant girlfriend, who during the show, leaves Will for a new rock and roll boyfriend, and eventually leads a life of glamour, with a stark contrast to Will’s depression.
The Extraordinary Girl: The nurse who looks after Tunny in rehab, the two fall in love.
Plot
Set in the early 2000s, the show opens in Jingletown, USA, where a group of suburban youths express their frustration with their stagnant lives and the state of the union in “American Idiot.” The story focuses on three friends: Johnny, Will, and Tunny. Johnny, feeling trapped in his broken home, decides to leave town with his friends. However, Will stays behind when his girlfriend, Heather, reveals she is pregnant. Johnny and Tunny venture to the city, seeking a new beginning.
In the city, Johnny struggles to find his place and creates a rebellious alter ego, St. Jimmy, who leads him into a life of drugs and reckless behavior. He meets a girl he calls Whatsername, and they start a tumultuous relationship. Meanwhile, Tunny, disillusioned by urban life, joins the military and is severely wounded in combat.
Back in Jingletown, Will becomes increasingly neglectful and loses Heather and their baby. Tunny, recovering from his injuries, falls in love with his nurse, the Extraordinary Girl. Johnny’s relationship with Whatsername deteriorates due to his drug addiction, leading her to leave him after he chooses his destructive lifestyle over her.
As the story progresses, Johnny decides to abandon his self-destructive behavior, symbolically killing St. Jimmy. He tries to find a place in the corporate world but soon realizes he does not fit in. Will, alone and regretful, fantasizes about a better life. Eventually, Johnny, Will, and Tunny reunite in Jingletown, each having faced their demons and grown from their experiences.
A year later, Johnny reflects on losing Whatsername but accepts his life, finding hope in his struggle between rage and love. The musical concludes with the entire cast performing “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” signifying the end of their journey and the lessons learned.
Track List
American Idiot – Company
Jesus of Suburbia – Johnny, Will, Tunny, Heather, and Company
Holiday– Johnny, Tunny, Theo, & Company
Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Johnny, Whatsername, Tunny, & Men
Favorite Son – Favorite Son & Women
Are We the Waiting – Tunny, Favorite Son, & Company
St. Jimmy – Johnny, Miguel, Declan, Theo, St. Jimmy, & Company
Give Me Novacaine – Will, Tunny, & Company
Last of the American Girls/She’s a Rebel – Johnny, Whatsername, Gerard, Chase, St. Jimmy, & Company
Last Night on Earth – St. Jimmy, Whatsername, Heather, & Company
Too Much Too Soon – Theo, Alysha, Will, & Heather
Before the Lobotomy – Tunny, Joshua, Ben, & Chase
Extraordinary Girl– Extraordinary Girl, Tunny, & Company
Before the Lobotomy (Reprise) – Tunny, Joshua, Ben, & Chase
When It’s Time– Johnny
Know Your Enemy– St. Jimmy, Will, Johnny, & Company
21 Guns – Whatsername, Extraordinary Girl, Heather, Tunny, Johnny, Will, & Company
Letterbomb – Whatsername & Women
Wake Me Up When September Ends – Johnny, Will, Tunny, & Company
Homecoming – Johnny, St. Jimmy, Will, Tunny, Heather & Company
Whatsername – Johnny & Company
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Company