chaopolis
03-25-2010, 12:02 AM
So, I just saw "opening night" (it's in technical previews) of Green Day's AMERICAN IDIOT at the St. James Theatre in New York. Thought I'd come back with a basic wrap-up.
I'm a Green Day fan, but probably not "the ultimate hardcore fan". I love the albums American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown, and I like most of the tracks on Dookie and others. Yeah.... I'm that guy.
As for the show, all-in-all.... it's okay.
I mean, technically (sound, lighting, set, video work), it's ACES. Top notch. Quite awesome. Et cetera. Et cetera.
The cast has a TON of energy. The opening number (American Idiot) was STELLAR, as was Jesus of Suburbia.
However, from Holiday all the way up to Homecoming... the show kinda drags and falls a little flat. ...and for those of you that know the album, that's a pretty big chunk of it.
Although, the album is the backbone for the narrative, they've added in a few songs from 21st Century Breakdown (Know Your Enemy, 21 Guns, Last Night on Earth, Before the Lobotomy, Last of the American Girls), some b-sides/other-singles (Too Much Too Soon, Favorite Son), and even an unreleased song (When It's Time). These added songs happen, for the most part, within one solid block of the show. Therefore, if you're hoping to experience JUST the songs from American Idiot as a show, you may be disappointed.
There are some MINOR lyric changes here and there to fit the story (co-written by Billie Joe) such as in "Give Me Novocaine"... 'Jimmy says its better than air' is changed to 'Johnny says its better than here'. Like I said, minor.
I'm conflicted. The songs are great (great new arrangements of songs that breathe new life into familiar territory), the cast is immensely talented, and it looks and sounds amazing. Maybe it's just the story and the pacing. Kinda felt like they tried too hard in tying all the songs together in a story. I don't know...
Bottom line: If you're a Green Day fan (and I mean hardcore fan), you'll probably dig it. However, if you're NOT a Green Day fan, this show will not convert you at all.
I'm a Green Day fan, but probably not "the ultimate hardcore fan". I love the albums American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown, and I like most of the tracks on Dookie and others. Yeah.... I'm that guy.
As for the show, all-in-all.... it's okay.
I mean, technically (sound, lighting, set, video work), it's ACES. Top notch. Quite awesome. Et cetera. Et cetera.
The cast has a TON of energy. The opening number (American Idiot) was STELLAR, as was Jesus of Suburbia.
However, from Holiday all the way up to Homecoming... the show kinda drags and falls a little flat. ...and for those of you that know the album, that's a pretty big chunk of it.
Although, the album is the backbone for the narrative, they've added in a few songs from 21st Century Breakdown (Know Your Enemy, 21 Guns, Last Night on Earth, Before the Lobotomy, Last of the American Girls), some b-sides/other-singles (Too Much Too Soon, Favorite Son), and even an unreleased song (When It's Time). These added songs happen, for the most part, within one solid block of the show. Therefore, if you're hoping to experience JUST the songs from American Idiot as a show, you may be disappointed.
There are some MINOR lyric changes here and there to fit the story (co-written by Billie Joe) such as in "Give Me Novocaine"... 'Jimmy says its better than air' is changed to 'Johnny says its better than here'. Like I said, minor.
I'm conflicted. The songs are great (great new arrangements of songs that breathe new life into familiar territory), the cast is immensely talented, and it looks and sounds amazing. Maybe it's just the story and the pacing. Kinda felt like they tried too hard in tying all the songs together in a story. I don't know...
Bottom line: If you're a Green Day fan (and I mean hardcore fan), you'll probably dig it. However, if you're NOT a Green Day fan, this show will not convert you at all.
