DRAMATURGY
HIGHLIGHTS
GREEN DAY & AMERICAN IDIOT
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Released American Idiot in 2004, two months before the reelection of U.S. President George W. Bush.
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The album is a punk-rock opera, similar to The Who's Tommy in the way it pieces a connected story together through all of the songs on the album.
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American Idiot follows the journey of "Jesus of Suburbia" as he navigates his way through an America that is under the control of an "idiot ruler who let people be misinformed by the media."
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American Idiot is also known as a work of political protest art.
AMERICAN IDIOT: THE MUSICAL
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After the release of American Idiot, director Michael Mayer approached the band expressing his interest in adapting it for the stage. They agreed to work with him and gave him full control of the reins after seeing Mayer’s excellent work on Spring Awakening.
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The musical premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September of 2009.
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The musical transferred to Broadway in early 2010, with the previews beginning that March and an official opening on April 20th, 2010.
AMERICA: 2001-2007
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America is ever-changing, ever evolving. American Idiot takes place over a decade ago, technically making it a period piece - here are links to the important things to keep in mind about the world of the show.
AMERICA: 2016-2018
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America is ever-changing, ever evolving. American Idiot takes place over a decade ago, but many of the themes and motifs of the show connect to our world today - here is information about how much America has changed since the release of the concept album American Idiot.
LOVE & DRUGS
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Love and drugs somehow seem to go hand in hand in American Idiot. The rivalry between St. Jimmy and Whatsername for Johnny's attention makes the battle between love (or at least sex) and drugs a pivotal part of the album and musical alike.
U.S. ARMY
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The events of September 11th, 2001 sparked many emotions across the United States, two of which included major patriotism and pride, as well as anger and violence. After George W. Bush announced the War on Terror, many young men (and women) joined the fight in order to protect their country from terrorist attacks. For some - war felt necessary and right. For others - joining this war was a chance for fame, respect, and ticker-tape parades. And for many - this war was a chance at revenge for the things we lost in 9/11.
