Green Day's Tony Award-winning musical "American Idiot, based on the band's concept album of the same name, will be presented July 15 at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts.
Produced by Theatrical Arts Foundation, the production will be staged for two performances only, at 2 and 8 pm. Tickets are $38.50-$77.50, and are available through the box office at 909-885-5152 or Ticketmaster at www.tricketmaster.com.duction.
The production, with book by Green Day's lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, music by Green Day and lyrics by Armstrong, was expanded from the concept album and includes additional Green Day songs from other albums.
The musical centers on three disaffected young men. Johnny and Tunny flee the stifling suburbs for the city looking for meaning in their lives; Will stays behind to work on his relationship with his girlfriend. Will, however, quickly gives up life in the city and joins the military and is shipped off to war. Meanwhile, Johnny turns to drugs, finds a part of himself that he grows to dislike, has a relationship and experiences lost love.
"We're very excited to be presenting 'American Idiot' at the California Theatre, said producer Joseph Henson of Theatrical Arts Foundation. "This show was staged here in 2012 and we've received many requests to bring it back. It has great music and great energy."
After a limited run at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009, the show opened on Broadway in April 2010 and ran for more than 400 performances. Armstrong played the role of St. Jimmy, a drug dealer and alter ego of Johnny for a number of Broadway performances. The show won Tony Awards for Best Scenic Design for a Musical and Best Lighting Design for a Musical. In February 2011, it won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
Green Day released the concept album "American Idiot" in 2004. According to singer-songwriter Armstrong, the album was deliberately created with a storyline and that some of their inspiration was from such musical theater mainstays as "West Side Story" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
Stage director Michael Mayer heard the album and expressed an interest in adapting it for the stage. He approached the band about collaborating and they agreed to work with him. Additional songs from other Green Day albums were added to the show.
WHEN: 8 p.m. July 15
WHERE: California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth St., San Bernardino.
ADMISSION: $38.50-$77.50
TICKETS: Available through www.ticketmaster.com, www.livenation.com, or theater box office
INFORMATION/BOX OFFICE: (909) 885-5152
ON THE WEB: www.californiatheatre.net
Calendar Listing
Green Day's Tony Award-winning musical "American Idiot, based on the band's concept album of the same name, will be presented July 15 for two performances only at San Bernardino's California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth St. Performances are at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $38.50-$77.50, available through the box office at (909) 885-5152 or wwww.ticketmaster.com.