How is the Non Equity American Idiot tour?

[winston89]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 3:04pm

I was just wondering how the quality of the Non Eq tour of American Idiot is? I liked the show, saw it on Broadway a couple of times, but was curious about checking out the tour when it comes to Long Island this Sunday. I was wondering particularly with how the sets and staging are. I am aware that a non equity tour scales back a little bit, but was wondering how scaled back the American Idiot tour is?

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 3:13pm

I saw the 1st leg of this non-equity tour last year and quite enjoyed it, but I've heard that the flying sequence in "Extraordinary Girl" has since been cut.

[winston89]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 3:25pm

Although that was not something that I thought about, cutting the flying in Extraordinary Girl doesn't come as a shock to me. My guess is that there's not enough time to set it up safely if they are only doing one night/day stints.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 3:58pm

If the current cast is anything like the first leg cast was, then it's really damn good, in my opinion. The cast before this one was the best I'd seen since the OBC (though I still preferred Billie Joe Armstrong over Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy).

Should be noted that some of the current cast of the tour was on the first leg as well, so I can only imagine they're still going strong. Updated On: 2/13/14 at 03:58 PM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 4:06pm

I saw the show last week in Boston and loved it! It was my first time seeing it so I cant really compare it to other casts but I thought they were very good. I thought the St Jimmy and whatshername were the standouts. All in all I wasn't really blown away by anybody but I was still impresses. I would definitely go see it!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 4:09pm

Sucks that they cut the flying. That was one of my favorite parts. It was still in when I saw it in San Diego.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 2/13/14 at 4:20pm

It's just with this current cast they've gone and cut the flying. I think it's because of time and maybe even some of the venues they're booked at just don't have fly space?

[sorano916]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 12:16am

So... I've seen all the different versions of the show (minus the UK & Asian runs) and I have to say, despite the various set & choreography changes, this is one of the stronger group of leads.

Jared Nepute does an excellent job as Johnny Casey O'Farrell is one of the top Will actors. Dan Tracy is arguably the best Tunny since Stark Sands. Carson Higgins, who recently took over as St. Jimmy, might not be as menacing as Tony Vincent or crazy as Billie Joe, but he has an amazing voice.

Mariah MacFarlance is a standout as Heather. Olivia Puckett (Whatsername) and Taylor Jones (Extraordinary Girl) are fine; they might have been under the weather when I saw them, they seem a little tired.

As much as the leads of the current tour are great, the ensemble was just fine. It's mostly those who just joined the 2nd leg. I felt that they were still trying to find their way. The feature ensembles seemed like they were trying too hard.

Set-wise, the stairs have been pared down to only one level. The drum kit was moved to the corner of the stage and the garage door was re-vamped. As others have mentioned, the flying was taken out for this leg.

I have to say, I've enjoyed the non-equity tour, both legs, much more than the equity tour. So, if you have a chance to see this tour, I would suggest taking it.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 10:31am

I believe the cast changed right when it opened here in San Antonio.

Personally I thought the show was terrible - whether that had to do w/ the cast or not, I don't know. It's one of two times in my life I seriously considered walking out.

But I also know SO many people love it - usually I'm the one loving something and offended that someone could possibly hate it; feels odd to be on the other side of things.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 10:44am

Yea I can totally see why some people don't like it. My mom went with me and I warned her that she wouldn't like it and she didn't really. She liked some parts better than others but overall thought it was strange. I personally loved it and could somewhat relate to it. I mean not as graphically as in the show but could relate to the wanting to get out of here and making bad mistakes and whatnot. Honestly one of the best shows ive ever seen imo. Does anyone know if this tour is extending past Denver? I'm dying to see it again and its not coming anywhere close to me. I am slowly but surely becoming obsessed with this show.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 3:03pm

Saw it in Boston and was underwhelmed by the lack of energy. Female leads were much better than the males, and the band was decent. Set was good, better than I expected, but the lack of energy made the show a let down for me.

Was surprised reading the Playbill how many of the cast were in their first ever National Tour (pretty much everyone), and nearly no one had experience in any major markets.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 3:05pm

This is the third tour, or the second leg of the Non-Eq tour.

I can't believe they cut the flying. As a huge fan of the Broadway version, I don't know how you can call it the same show.

Updated On: 2/14/14 at 03:05 PM

[loliveve]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 3:24pm

I think Wee Thomas2 meant that it's the first tour the cast members have ever been involved in as part of their career... not that it is the first national tour of the show.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/14/14 at 4:18pm

That is an excellent interpretation of my thoughts. It felt like it was a "hey, let's get a bunch of MFA grads and put 'em in a show!" Which is fine if you're mixing them in with some veteran actors, but rough when that's all you got.



Updated On: 2/14/14 at 04:18 PM

[rorschach37]

Posted: 2/15/14 at 10:53am

Can anyone explain what they do in place of the flying?

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 2/15/14 at 9:29pm

I really wanted to know if this tour that's coming to LA in May selling merchandise. Like the window card & or souvenir program??? Cause if not I want to know so I can buy one. (i love getting my window cards signed - if possible)

[shocowo]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 6:26pm

I saw this show Saturday evening at the Palace Theater in Waterbury (what a beautiful theater!!) Extraordinary girl is now just a dance sequence with 2 or 3 girls in nurses uniforms and Extraordinary girl in the pink harem outfit. It really is lackluster.

I spoke to a few of the cast members after the show and they said the aerial was cut due to cost and also because some venues could not support the rigs required.

I've seen AI on B'way, and every tour and this was my least favorite performance, the performance I saw just wasn't "tight" and timing seemed off in a few spots.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 2/27/14 at 12:42am

I saw the tour tonight in Syracuse and if you're a fan of the material, you will love this production.

I don't know if the cast stepped out their game or if some of you just saw an off night, but they were on fire tonight. Very spot on, lots of energy. The only performance I disliked was the guy who played Tunny (sorry, I don't have my Playbill in from of me).

There were only two things I disliked. The dance for Extraordinary Girl just didn't work. It brought the show to a screeching halt. Also, I highly disliked the choreography change they did for 21 Guns.

Overall, it was a great evening. High energy, great songs and a mostly great cast. The lighting and set are the same as they were on Broadway and still great.

That being said, I still wish the book of the musical was fleshed out a bit more. If they just fleshed out the book scenes and added an intermission I think it would be a near masterpiece. Still, a great show for sure.