History can be defined by cultural milestones; the arts are a good benchmark of human endeavor and have long been a part of dramatic presentations since ancient times. Musical theater combines the elements of song, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance to express a message. Green Day’s American Idiot has truly captured the spirit of a decade we can all learn from.
Shortly after I published an article on the explosive Broadway hit, I had the opportunity to attend the show at the beautiful Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The theater is located in a cultural hub and provides snacks and drinks for purchase prior to show time. I suggest arriving early to secure a spot in the underground parking structure and to enjoy the sights and sounds of theater magic. The musical is a 2010 Tony Award-nominated Best Musical and a 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, featuring the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. Needless to say, I was excited to see the show and relive the era.
The musical opens with the character of Johnny waking up in bed to find himself lost and torn between a ‘rock and roll’ dream career and the safety of a suburban lifestyle. The musical plays out like a live diary; acting out specific times and dates in the band’s career as each searches for meaning in a post 9-11 world. The musical is told almost exclusively through Green Day’s songs and is littered with a cornucopia of curse words, aerial acrobatics, and glitter. The emotional rock-opera journey embodies the hope of a new generation and the struggles of a past, told through the exceptional performances of a young yet professional cast.
The musical appropriately ends with the entire cast on stage singing the song, “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” leaving the audience with a youth driven message that applies to all age groups. Overall, the musical was an ironically sobering rock experience to remember. I definitely recommend this highly acclaimed musical and give it two thumbs up.
WHAT: Green Day’s American Idiot Broadway Musical
WHEN: March 13 – April 22, 2012
WHERE: Ahmanson Theatre | 135 North Grand Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90012
CONTACT INFO: (213) 628-2772
DETAILS:
Ticket Prices: $20 – $120 (subject to change.)
Performance Days and Times:
- Tuesday – Friday 8 pm
- Saturday 2 pm | 8 pm
- Sunday 1 pm | 6:30 pm
- No performances on Monday
- EXCEPTIONS: Additional 2 pm performances on Thursdays, April 5 and 19; No 1 pm performance on Sunday, April 8; No public performance on Wednesday, April 11; No 6:30 pm performance on Sunday, April 22
Dear reader,
I appreciate your support and feedback. Please respond to this article now by leaving a comment and/or “liking” it. For exciting, up to date events in Los Angeles, subscribe to this blog via email. You can also share this article with friends and family and visit my Facebook and Twitter pages.
Stick with me and I guarantee you’ll never run out of things to do because you’ll always be connected, and your friends and family will admire you.
Thank you!
Mr. Events.
xplorela.com 