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Melissa Etheridge Set To Star In ‘American Idiot’ Musical

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rocker will replace Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong as St. Jimmy in the hit Broadway show for one week next month. By Jocelyn Vena Melissa Etheridge Photo: Jason Kempin/ Getty Images Melissa Etheridge will put a gender-bending spin on the lead role in the Broadway hit “American Idiot” when she joins the show for a one-week engagement beginning February 1. The singer will take the place of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, who currently is tackling the part of St. Jimmy. “Billie Joe and I always believed that it would be incredible to have a woman take on the role of St. Jimmy. This character is seductive, thrilling and dangerous. Melissa Etheridge is all that and so much more,” the show’s Tony Award-winning director, Michael Mayer, said about the casting decision to BroadwayWorld.com . “She’s a rock icon and we couldn’t be more thrilled that she’s bringing her immense talent to ‘American Idiot.’ ” The Green Day singer just kicked off a 50-performance run of dates in the show earlier this month. Right now the schedule for upcoming “American Idiot” performances is as follows: Armstrong for the remainder of January, Etheridge for February 1–6 and Armstrong again for February 10–27. The actor who originated the part on Broadway, Tony Vincent, ended his run as St. Jimmy on December 30. Armstrong previously appeared in eight performances of the stage show in September 2010. During that stretch, ticket sales grew to more than $1 million; last week’s grosses for “American Idiot” were around $600,000. The musical is based on Green Day’s smash 2004 album of the same name. When “American Idiot” opened in April 2010, Armstrong talked with MTV News about the show and the recording. “I think, politically, American Idiot , when we were writing it, it was trying to make sense out of a big mess,” he explained. “You’re trying to find something to believe in, but it’s difficult when you’re getting bombarded with useless information. So it’s just [about] trying to find your identity and your individualism in the midst of all that.” Would you be excited to see Melissa Etheridge star in “American Idiot”? Share your opinion in the comments. Related Artists Melissa Etheridge

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Melissa Etheridge Set To Star In ‘American Idiot’ Musical

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Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ Musical Is ‘Daring And Loud,’ Cast Says

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I am just continually astonished by their artistry and the power and the beauty of these songs,’ director Michael Mayer says. By James Montgomery Billie Joe Armstrong at “American Idiot” on Broadway Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images Green Day’s “American Idiot” musical made its official Broadway premiere at New York’s St. James Theatre on Tuesday night. If the band being moved to tears by the production isn’t motivation enough to make the trip to NYC to see the show, well, we figured we’d let the cast and crew tell you why you should check it out. “As big a fan as someone is of Green Day, they might not even know how much dramatic potential is inside these songs,” director Michael Mayer said. “And they have never heard them sung in this way before, so I think they may have a deeper appreciation of what Billie Joe and Mike and Tre have written. I hope they do [come see it], because I am just continually astonished by their artistry and the power and the beauty of these songs.” Like Green Day said earlier , the “Idiot” musical is a lot like seeing the band live: roaring, loud and unapologetic. But to hear Mayer tell it, there’s also a side most fans can’t see in concert — one that is brought right to the forefront on the Broadway stage. “When you go see them in concert, or you watch their videos or you go see them in any of their work or like awards shows and stuff, anytime that you see them perform, they’re so ferocious,” he said. “They’re wild, but then when you get to know them as people … they’re really sensitive, intelligent, articulate, caring people … and that’s an aspect that comes through in this play, in these songs.” That personal touch extends to the cast of “Idiot” too. Because, growing up, they were all Green Day fans, and doing this musical was most definitely a labor of love. “I always loved their music. I remember loving the song ‘She,’ and we [all] talk about the song ‘Basket Case,’ ” said Rebecca Naomi Jones, who plays Whatsername. “Those old songs are just so good … the driving beats and awesome bass lines and Billie Joe’s voice. And some of the American Idiot songs are just out of this world.” “It blew my mind when I first heard their music. … I can still remember the first time I saw the music video for ‘Basket Case.’ I didn’t have cable, so I had to go to my cousin’s house to watch it,” added John Gallagher Jr., who plays Johnny. “I was mesmerized, but I was also scared of them. I fell for them, I loved all their records, and then I heard American Idiot, and I was like, ‘Wow, these guys have stepped it up.’ And this production is like that album: smart, edgy, daring and loud … but it has so much sensitivity and emotion in it. I have been pinching myself through this entire process, and I can’t see myself stopping anytime soon.” Will you make your way to NYC to see “American Idiot” on Broadway? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ On Broadway

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Green Day Moved ‘To Tears’ By ‘American Idiot’ Musical

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘You just abandon hope of a tissue and let ’em stream,’ bassist Mike Dirnt tells MTV News. By James Montgomery Mike Dirnt at “American Idiot” on Broadway Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images Green Day aren’t exactly the kind of guys you’d expect to shed tears over anything, but the first time they watched rehearsals for the Broadway musical version of “American Idiot” — opening Tuesday (April 20) at New York’s St. James Theatre — they did just that. “I was watching the actors, and I catch the eye of one of the singers, and he just gives me a little [thumbs-up] sign, and so that gave me the courage to look over at the band,” “Idiot” director Michael Mayer told MTV News. “And there were tears in their eyes. I saw that what we were doing was connecting to them on a heart-and-soul level, and it wasn’t about commerce and it wasn’t about business. … All of that went away, and I saw that these are just three wonderful men who made these wonderful songs, [and] we were giving it back to them as this sort of wonderful gift. I was blown away, and I thought, ‘OK, there is something here.’ ” Of course, we had to verify the story with the guys themselves. So when MTV News caught up with them at “Idiot” rehearsals, we asked: Did the musical really bring on the waterworks? “All of us actually came to tears, because you don’t get to see Green Day play live if you’re actually in Green Day,” bassist Mike Dirnt said. “But to see these voices and the way all the cast were singing, you just abandon hope of a tissue and let ’em stream. … [We were like,] ‘No, that’s allergies, man!’ ” “Yeah, the first night I wasn’t prepared,” drummer Tre Cool added. “[But] the second night, I brought a little thing of tissues and I drank two glasses of wine.” And while Green Day eventually were able to get through rehearsals without the aid of Kleenex, they’re still emotional, even on the eve of the “Idiot” debut. The show is the culmination of many years’ hard work, a journey that began all the way back in 2003, when the band was writing the songs that would become the American Idiot album. The bandmates still can’t believe it’s finally opening on the Great White Way. “You know, I think it’s something that goes beyond [all that]. It’s your wildest dream, but you never actually thought it would happen,” frontman Billie Joe Armstrong explained. “And so, when you start to hear the music in that way … you reminisce about why you wrote the song to begin with. Michael Mayer knew what the intention of the record was, and to see that start to come to life is kind of gripping.” Will you make your way to New York to see “American Idiot” on Broadway? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ On Broadway Green Day Rocks Broadway: American Idiot Related Photos The Evolution Of: Green Day

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