Someone said, “Well, The Clash never made a musical” or something like that. Well, that’s god damned obvious. First, The Clash were incredibly hesitant to display their work to huge audiences. They tried very hard not to sell out (If you think that Rock The Casbah is selling out, please suck five dicks.) The other reason they never made a musical is that they never made a rock opera or story album, which pretty much prevents them from doing that.

I’m not too hot on the idea for a musical, but if a movie came out in the vein of Tommy (more so than Quadrophenia despite Quadrophenia being the better album), I’d rent it at the very least. Get a bunch of musical celebrity help like The Who did and it could be a fun movie.

Along with The Clash, The Beatles, and The Placemats, Green Day has always been one of my favorite bands, so I guess I’ll keep my eye on this.

Man, was my first comment deleted? And why on earth does it say that my name was “ARTWANKER?” Oh, whatever.

I’m not too hot on the idea of a Green Day musical, but a movie in the vein of Tommy (despite Quadrophenia being the better album) would be a treat. As a fan of the album (If less than masterstrokes like Warning: and Insomniac), I guess I’ll keep my eye on this.

Wow. I want to see a musical derived from this garbage album like I want an infected scrotum. Billy’s quote from the article falls perfectly inline with this whole project, “It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

stupid.

i can’t beleive this. this should not be alowed. this song is way too good to be made a mockery of in a musical. not cool.

the cd was
really good…
idk how it
will be as
a musical..

I know it would be a little early for a tradition such as this, but I think this might effin bullshit. Look at the current date- Think about it: A Green Day album making a broadway debut in Berkeley. Really? If this is what I think it is, from the looks of things, its working.

geez this band already blows as it is. there making themselves look even more stupid by doing this. my little boy can write better songs than this so called band.

i think it will be great

“geez this band already blows as it is. there making themselves look even more stupid by doing this. my little boy can write better songs than this so called band.”

Good lord, look at yourself. You could make this assertion about just about any band. You could attack the lyrics of Paul Westerberg, Peter Townshend, and Paul McCartney if you tried hard enough. Admit it. You just fell into the crowd that decided that Green Day was a lame band and you put no thought into your opinion whatsoever. At least when I hate on Fall Out Boy or Nickelback, I’ve vividly constructed arguments based on my own preferences, genuine cliches, and terrible instrumentals. Pull your head out of your ass and form your own fucking opinion.

WOW, YOU’RE ALL KINDA OF IDIOTS!! (NO PUN INTENDED) HAVE YOU EVER LISTENED TO THE LYRICS FROM GREEN DAY??? WHATEVER THEY DO…….THEY ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Green Day were cool when they wrote songs about wackin off and gettin high.

It annoys me when people say their newer songs aren’t as good as their older ones. Their older songs were good in their own, immature way, but one the songs I’m imagining that you’re thinking of, they lack the depth and world-experience of the songs you find on American Idiot.

Grow up some.~

I better news. I wish I could be at the premier so bad! I’d love to see how they’re gonna pull off all the characters. Maybe they’ll use the actor from the music videos for the Jesus of Suburbia. x:
He was a hottie, and really seemed to fit the angsty naive part.

no worries, american idiot will suck just as much in 09 as it did in 04

strummerjones i didnt fall into any crowd. i remember when green day first blew up when i was in junior high in the early 90’s i thought there music was fun and catchy (like most radio freindly bands). but since then they havnt grown or changed much which sounds like to me the record label has them by the balls. they became tools a long time ago. so if you want me to go into detail as to why i think this band BLOWS its cuz apparently they dont the guts to do something no one would expect them to. theyve made the same album over and over again. and dont start goin on about record sales cuz if u wanna go by that logic the backstreet boys are best band in the world right?! the bottom line is through my ears their music is predictable, boring, and lame. it makes sense that the majority of their fans are kids or young teens that dont know any better. call me old but these guys need to retire already.

Nothing good can come of this.

Funny….I thought it was a sucky musical when it was released the first time!

Some classic rock albums HAVE successfully translated into Broadway musicals. I saw the Broadway version of The Who’s Tommy several times, and it was excellent.

That being said, I don’t think American Idiot will be very successful. Most Green Day fans probably wouldn’t want to see it. And I just can’t imagine many older non-Green Day theatergoers being interested in seeing it.

First of all, you assume that I give a damn about sales. My favorite Green Day album is Warning:, which only sold 500K copies.

The same album over and over again. You could make the claim that Tim and Pleased To Meet Me are the same album, that Led Zeppelin one through four are the same album, or even that Help! and Rubber Soul are the same album, but JUST BECAUSE IT SOUNDS RIGHT DOESN’T MAKE IT SO.

I’m a dude who’s going to college next year. No, I’m not some Sir Bitchalot that shows up in all black at school that would dare to christen Green Day as “The Voice Of A Generation” or any such silly title, but I love ‘em along with The Clash, The Beatles, and The Placemats as one of my favorite bands. The bass adds just enough to the sound to give you something to listen to, the lyrics actually deal with today’s world pretty well, and while they might seem to be overplaying the politics card, you have to keep in mind that only two fucking songs on American Idiot could even be construed as political. Tre’s drums are pretty crazy, you’d have to admit, and while you could make that “GRR POWER CHORDS” argument with Billies guitar, you would probably have to dismiss a fuckload of punk along with it.

A label has ‘em by the balls, huh? Not this again. Okay. We get it. They’re on a major label, but if you actually sat down and listened to their music, you’d realize that they change as much as any good band, if not more. They’ve gone from the quaint and simple club sound to sounding like their album is being blasted from a god damned arena.

You can try to beat around it all you want, but the only respectable argument I’ve seen in this “thread” is that they don’t talk about getting high and masturbating anymore, which is something I can respect (Yeah).

Until you hear Dookie through American Idiot (again if you’ve already heard ‘em), I really don’t consider this an issue. Believe it or not, they’re a damned good album band. Give the CDs a spin (Or download ‘em through less…conventional methods) and I hope that you’ll have found yourself a damned good band.

This is exciting. I can’t wait to see it!

Not trying to stereotype or pigeonhole anyone, but…

I can’t imagine too many Green Day fans, buying Broadway theater tickets.

And I can’t imagine too many of the blue-haired Broadway matinee grannies, expressing much interest in seeing a show like this.

So who else is there?

To be honest, I wouldn’t see this. I wouldn’t fucking touch it. This is interesting because it leads to the idea of a movie like Tommy or The Wall or what have you, but just no.

Personally, I am SO excited to see this! Too bad I don’t live in Berkeley. But I’m sure it will be amazing and it’s great to hear that more of Billie Joe’s dreams are coming true =] so, this should be awesome (like Green Day is).

woah. really?

no.

My opinion of this?
Let it be.
Really, if you think it’s a stupid idea, then you shouldn’t be wasting your time posting on it.
If you think it’s a great idea, kudos to you for expressing your opinions.
Music is music, musicals are musicals, and frankly, in a general sense,
IT IS WHAT IT IS.
So let it be just that.
If it flops, let it.
If it triumphs, let it.
Arguing about the literary and musical merit of the production or of the band itself is hackneyed and redundant.
Just take it as something that is going to happen…
and
Let it be.

Well, I think it’s a stupid idea & I’m definitely gonna waste my time and post about it. Green Day are lucky as hell that George Bush was an asshole so they’d have a hit again because otherwise they’d be just a footnote by now. U2? Michael Jackson? Spring Awakening? Fine, you’ll fit right in with all the other assholes. Guess I’ll skip the Tonys next time around.

Green Day could record twelve tracks of simultaneous gas passing, and I’d still love them more than I love any other band on the face of this earth.

So while I respect your opinion, haters, I will politely disagree. Because the rock genius of Green Day has, is, and will forever prevail. And the idea of them making an American Idiot musical come to life on stage makes me pee a little when I think about it I’m so excited.

“If you think it’s a great idea, kudos to you for expressing your opinions.”

Sorry, but why can’t you express your opinion negatively? I love the shit out of Green Day, but this idea is craaaaaazy.

I’ll start by saying I’m an old fart technically when it comes to Green Day. I remember them from the beginning, and I will always give them a listen.

That being said, I honestly think this idea stinks. I’ll also honestly say that IMO, there has never been an adaptation of a rock album that has ever worked on Broadway… EVER. Broadway is fine creating it’s own works, but when any famous rock album hits the Great White Way, it ends up neutered & devoid of what made it great in the first place.

As I said, I’ll always keep an ear open for whatever Green Day have up their collective sleeves next, but I’m going nowhere near this thing.

Jesus, am I the only one who thinks this is an April Fool’s joke?

if u like greenday in 2009, u should have your fu*kn head examined. There still putting out the same lame album now as they were almoast 2 decades ago. Let it go!!! You should try seeing a band thats hip, and innovative THE MARS VOLTA. You wont ever see them put out a lame album, let alone throw it on a broadway musical. I doubt your gonna have any kind of mindblowing,or life changing experiance seeing American Idiot, the play.

“Experience”

I absolutely love Green Day to death and the album is really good, but this idea sounds kinda crazy. I mean, I would probably go to see it if I had the chance, but I’m not so sure how it’ll turn out.

It sounds interesting, not sure if it will succede. I would probably see it if I could (I’m in West Virginia.) To all you people that are stating comments like: American Idiot was bull shit and this wil be fucking bull shit too or Green Day is the worst fucking band in the world, go fuck yourself. Use constructive criticism, state your opion without droping the f bomb 2,000,000 times. That last phrase of mine was a bit hypocritical.

More filthy boatshit garbage from the unwanted greenday immigrant terrorist crack-band.

I DON’T WANT TO BE A BOATSHIT IDIOT!!

That’s the American version.

For the people that think THIS is crazy, let’s not forget that these are guys who were involved in a black comedy musical about Charles Manson portrayed by puppets!

In my eyes, Green Day can do no wrong. It might flop, it might not. I would see it and I predict it’ll have a huge cult following. Green Day’s fans aren’t all incapable of enjoying Broadway. Not all of us are pierced, tattooed anarchists running around with mohawks, cursing the establishment as we light up a joint. Broaden your horizons, much?

“(If you think that Rock The Casbah is selling out, please suck five dicks.)”

That comment made me laugh so hard I spit my drink out over the keyboard…

…and yes, I am aware that I set myself up for an obvious joke with this comment too…

its almost a shame that american idiot sold 12 million copies around the globe meanwhile Warning, a far better album sold 1/10th of that.
Idiot is good but the biggest single, blvd of broken dreams’s melody and chord progrssion is out and out stolen from Wonderwall.

Im not sure this album can be taken to the stage or even eventually to the big screen like Tommy or the Wall but oh well, God love em for trying. As long as they put enough focus into their next album which took 5 years to make, then ill be happy. Hopefully its better than No line on the horizon which took just about as long to make. Im sure it will sound like text book Green day ie simple but very melodic- sometimes great power pop. Give us something good guys!

greenday HAD good music. they are deadbeats now. im nervous for this show becuase its going to be another way for greenday to play there old material. Plus if the show has no real story line its just gonna be greenday in concert by no bodies. Get greenday to write a score for the show, write the lyrics to show in a musical style! you know where the song should actually coincide with the rest of the show. no one likes random ass shows that play one bands music- hense movin out.

Green Day and the director of Broadway’s Spring Awakening are set to debut a musical based on the band’s 2004 punk epic American Idiot this autumn, the New York Times reports. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense,” frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told the NYT, “but that’s what I love about it. When people see it, it’s going to be my wildest dream.” The American Idiot musical will premiere September 4th at California’s Berkeley Repertory Theatre and run through October 11th.

Rock music has been an inspiration for Broadway-style musicals recently: U2 are working on music for a Spider-Man stage play, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller will hit Broadway as a full-on musical. It was perhaps the Tony Award-winning success of the rocking Spring Awakening — and the past triumphs of the Who’s Tommy musical — that opened the theatrical door for productions like an American Idiot musical. Green Day’s album inspired Spring Awakening director Michael Mayer during the making of his musical, and he and producer Tom Hulce approached the band about the possibility of a stage play.

According to the Times, the American Idiot musical was quietly workshopped twice in 2008 in New York City to work out the orchestration and choreography, with the band ultimately giving the production the thumbs up. As for the plot, Armstrong admits, “It’s not the most linear story in the world,” but American Idiot’s characters Jesus of Suburbia, St. Jimmy and Whatshername will likely be the main characters. While no plans are set, Mayer envisions the production will eventually come to Broadway.

The NYT article also briefly mentions the Berkeley Repertory will also host an upcoming musical based on Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend album. Green Day will release their new album 21st Century Breakdown on May 15th. For more on that album, be sure to check out Spring Music Preview and Rolling Stone’s in the studio report.

I’ll always love Green Day more than any other band, but (IMAO) I’m pretty sure this will suck. i might THINK about watching it some day tho.

Honestly,
I think this is amazing idea.
I mean I love the “American Idiot” cd,
So I guess if they turn it into a musical,
it will be amazing !

Honestly,
I think this is amazing idea.
I mean I love the “American Idiot” cd,
So I guess if they turn it into a musical,
it will be amazing !

Yeha just scrolled through. Do some of you know what a musical is? The actors who play the characters are going to sing the songs. Green Days tracks arent going to be played throughout are they? I think it’ll be good. Green Day are very creative and it sounds like this director is too. And I have a feeling that the songs arent just going to be sung just like the actual songs themselves. I think stuff will be added and taken away and there’ll be twists to the lyrics and the melodies. Yeah i hope it comes to England.

this will be great spring awakening was amazing!

I think that 21st century breakdown would make a better show. The story is deeper, more personal. I think american idiot makes more sense to be a political rally, not a play. but it could be good. so far the videos of it online look… lame. o well.

Will Andrew C. Call be performing at Green Day.

Will Andrew C. Call be performing at Green Day?

I presonally think this is a great idea. I love Green Day.

I think it is awesome. They aren’t afriad to do what they want. If they want it on Broadway let em put it on freaking broadway. Its a 50 50 chance of being absloutly great or a piece of shit. So let them be themselves.

Personally I think they rock either way.

“Sorry, but why can’t you express your opinion negatively? I love the shit out of Green Day, but this idea is craaaaaazy.”

Because, you earn no kudos by expressing a safe, risk-free opinion. Anyone can do that. Not to say the opinion is invalid, it is simply less admirable to have expressed it because it requires no courage. I know the works of those involved in this show’s production, and I honestly think it should be phenominal.

Take me, hold me, and tell me that rock and roll still has the intent to help me take a place amongst those humans who thrive on it’s
unique ‘vintage 2009′.

Take me, hold me, and tell me that rock and roll still has the intent to help me take a place amongst those humans who thrive on it’s
unique ‘vintage 2009′.

Well, I think this is a damn good idea.
Crazy, but a great idea.
I’ll have to go see it.

The lots have been cast but the ‘American Idiot’
resurection’,”well” ?

For the moment and without
wavering, I say it will have the most becoming and progressive impact on the worlds’ framework for a better understanding of our individual needs and hopes for the preservation of our Green Earth.

The lots have been cast but the ‘American Idiot’
resurection’,”well” ?

For the moment and without
wavering, I say it will have the most becoming and progressive impact on the worlds’ framework for a better understanding of our individual needs and hopes for the preservation of our Green Earth.

I think this show will be completely amazing, or it’s going to be an epoch fail. Either way, I wish I had the oppurtunity to see it. The idea is very cool.

Plus, I love John Gallgher Jr.

I think Green Day kicks f*cking ass and this album is way better than any previous one, also I do think it can be brought live I’ll add some video’s

ok I don’t have the time but believe me

Green Day is one of the most talented acts of this decade! Personally, my favorite album is Warning but American Idiot will make an awesome musical! I’m from New Jersey and I’m flying out to see the show!

i have to admit going in i figured there was no way anyone could ever bring to life the talent or ability of this band! after watching this incredibly talented group perform the songs and story line all i can say is wow! it brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions and i cant wait to see it again! Watch out New York u have never seen a better act

of all the albums green day has… they chose american idiot??? hellllo? dookie anyone?

With time comes change. Doing this sort of production is a major step for ANYONE. It shows maturity and growth as a band. Just because the songs aren’t about whacking off and slacking off doesn’t mean they suck.

Grow a brain, get some taste.

Good Jon guys! We Love you. xoxo

i meant good Job!

“geez this band already blows as it is. there making themselves look even more stupid by doing this. my little boy can write better songs than this so called band.”

dude, dude you are so retarded i know this is from a long time ago but i mean come on now that is just plain sutpid!!! your retarded and just plain idiotic!!!!! how dare you say that about this amazing band. you just need to fuck off and get a life and deal with ur child instead of complaining about a band that you and eveeryone knows is just plain amazing. :]

Some really immature people here…
“Bad Lyrics?” Have you even heard the damn album? It has amazing lyrics. I personally, like older Green Day more but that doesn’t mean I don’t accept the fact that they have grown and matured emotionally and as a band. In my opinion it would have gotten pretty boring if they didn’t change. Making various styles of music is nothing bad, in fact, it’s very good.

On the other hand, I think making American Idiot into a musical is a really good thing. You can see the story better and more people can appreciate it. Everyone who thinks this is “selling out” really should think about what they just wrote.

To all the people putting this down and saying crap like what good will come of it and crap like that……well jobs have come of it!! In this economy thats amazing!! Even if it doesn’t last forever, at least these actors and all the stage crew and everyone working on this show, now have a paying job!! That is great all the way around ..so people should stop complaining because they “can’t believe they did this” and go support the arts….have a night out and enjoy yourself. I plan on seeing it, not for the music, because frankly I don’t know this music ..but because of some of the singer/actors that are in it are freaking amazing and I would seriously watch them in whatever they are cast in. I wholeheartedly plan on enjoying myself too.

Saw it yesterday….I really enjoyed the play and actors’ performances. It was extremely well received by the audience as well. I would say it felt a bit like Rent.

When I heard about the whole American Idiot idea.. I thought “This is gonna be the worst thing for the band.” Then once I saw the concept and some of the pictures from the show, my mind was changed. Since I grew up with Green Day’s music and being a HUGE fan, from a fans point of view, this is the most creative and greatest idea ever! I wish i could attend this musical just to see this creation that they created.

LOVE YOUR ALBUM

I’ve seen it twice – last night being the last saturday performance at berkeley rep – the show is outstanding, amazing, superb or any other superlatives you can think to isert. It is a surefire Broadway hit. Sorry haters, you are simply wrong. Unbelievable show…

This sounds like it would have been great to see – American Idiot is pretty much a story and I can see it translating into a show very easily. People: It’s ok to get out of your box! You talk about how you love the band but you won’t “touch” the idea. If you love the band why wouldn’t you at least give it a shot?