RIALTO CHATTER: AMERICAN IDIOT is Broadway-Bound, But When?

A November 9 casting notice released by Actors Equity Association announcing auditions for a Broadway-run of the Green Day/Michael Mayer created American Idiot seems to confirm the widespread presumption that the show will play the Great White Way in the near future.

The American Idiot marketing team has confirmed that Broadway is in the show's future, however no dates have been set, nor a theater booked.

This comes with little surprise given the high profile mix of characters on the creative and production teams.  The punk rock musical features songs from Green Day's mega-album American Idiot (vocalist/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tré Cool - along with Armstrong's lyrics) in addition to some tunes from their new album, 21st Century Breakdown). Green Day won two Grammys - Best Rock Album and Record of the Year - for its multi-platinum American Idiot, which sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.  The show is directed by Spring Awakening mastermind Michael Meyer.  And, it is produced by heavyweights Tom Hulce (Spring Awakening) and Ira Pittelman (Spring Awakening, The Odd Couple, The Dinner Party).

American Idiot, which is playing its final week at Berkeley Rep in San Francisco after a five week extension, ranks as the most financially successful show in the theater's 41-year history.  

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 - a journey borne along by Green Day's punk rock songs. With an onstage band and 19 young performers, American Idiot received its world premiere at Berkeley Rep, the Tony-winning playhouse that launched last year's provocative rock musical Passing Strange.

The production features choreography by Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett with Tony-winning composer Tom Kitt providing orchestrations, arrangements, and musical supervision. The design team includes Tony-nominee Christine Jones (sets), two-time Tony-winner Kevin Adams (lights), Baryshnikov fellow Andrea Lauer (costumes), and Obie Award-winner Brian Ronan (sound), as well as video designer Darrel Maloney. The music director is Carmel Dean and the associate choreographer is Lorin Latarro.

Tony-winning actor John Gallagher, Jr. plays Johnny, leading an ensemble of 19 young performers that also includes Matt Caplan as Tunny, Michael Esper as Will, and Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy with Mary Faber as Heather, Rebecca Naomi Jones as Whatsername, and Christina Sajous as the Extraordinary Girl.

It is expected that the original cast performing at Berkeley Rep will transfer with the prodcution.  The release of an Equity Principle Audition (EPA) notice by the casting team is a standard industry procedure and does not indicate a guaranteed recasting. 

To purchase tickets for the remaining performances of American Idiot, or for complete information on all upcoming shows, call Berkeley Rep's box office at (510) 647-2949 or toll-free at (888) 4-BRT-Tix - or just click berkeleyrep.org.