American Idiot: Billie J. Armstrong to return



Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman and lead guitarist of the rock band Green Day, will return to the role of 'St. Jimmy' for 50 performances beginning 1 Jan 2011. Armstrong will star in the musical from 1 - 9 Jan, 18 - 30 Jan and 10 - 27 Feb 2011.

Armstrong made a triumphant Broadway debut as 'St. Jimmy' in a one week engagement from 28 Sep - 3 Oct 2010 and played to sold-out houses at the St. James Theatre.

Tony Vincent who originated the role of 'St Jimmy' will play his final performance on 30 Dec 2010.

Billie Joe King will be starring in the show for which he wrote the music and lyrics. American Idiot features the music of Green Day and the lyrics of Billie Joe Armstrong. The musical is based on Green Day's Grammy Award-winning album of the same name, American Idiot.

The musical currently stars John Gallagher Jr. (Johnny), Stark Sands (Tunny), Michael Esper (Will), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Whatsername), Christina Sajous (The Extraordinary Girl), Mary Faber (Heather) and Tony Vincent (St. Jimmy).

The Broadway premiere of Green Day's American Idiot, opened at St James Theatre on 20 Apr 2010, following previews from 24 Mar 2010, and currently selling tickets through to 30 Jan 2011.

The musical opened to mixed reviews: Mostly unintelligible (newyorktheatreguide); Thrillingly raucous (NY Times); Hip veneer on vacant material"(Bloomberg); Loud, angry, & thrilling (Back Stage).

American Idiot follows working-class characters from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East, as they seek redemption in a world filled with frustration.

Based on the Reprise Records Grammy Award-winning album of the same name, American Idiot features the music of Green Day and the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. The show is directed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), who also collaborated with Armstrong on the book, and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Steven Hoggett (Blackwatch).

The show includes every song from the album, as well as several new songs from '21st Century Breakdown.' Green Day won two Grammys - Best Rock Album and Record of the Year - for its multi-platinum 'American Idiot.' The album sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.

American Idiot played at Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre from 4 Sep - 15 Nov 2009. The musical's record breaking run brought in the biggest advance sale in the Theatre's 41-year history, the biggest day at the box office, 17 of the top 20 days ever and due to ticket demand had to announce the first extension before it had played its first performance.

The show features scenic design by Tony-nominee Christine Jones (Spring Awakening), costume design by Andrea Lauer, lighting design by two-time Tony-winner Kevin Adams (The 39 Steps, Spring Awakening), Sound design by Brian Ronan, as well as video design by Darrel Maloney.

The Tony-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) is the music supervisor, orchestrator and music arranger. In addition, Kitt also provided string arrangements for Green Day's latest album, '21st Century Breakdown.'

American Idiot is produced on Broadway by Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Billie Joe Armstrong

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