Anyone going to the first preview of AMERICAN IDIOT tonight?- Page 2

[Mystic Pasta]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:08am

I have heard about Green Day but their music wasn't my thing so for me American Idiot is a collection of pop songs that are all new to me. Agree with the poster about it all feeling like an extended music video. That said, I had a good time because it was clear the performers and most of the audience were thrilled to be there. With the exception of Stark Sands, the lead performances seemed forced and "very important." I hope they will settle into a more naturalistic world over time. I now have a new appreciation for Tommy, Hair and Rock of Ages which are rock musicals with better defined characters and more entertaining stories. Overall, didn't love it but it's nice to see different forms of theater being presented on Broadway. Prefer Addams Family in the Tony race for overall artistry. I could see Addams Family again in six months but once was enough for American Idiot.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 12:04pm

Does anyone who tried the lottery last night remember how much the "lotto loser" seats were being offered for?

[maxximumvolume]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 12:08pm

The lotto loser seats, which are partial view on the extreme sides of the orchestra, were going for $37.

[Brick]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 12:26pm

"I now have a new appreciation for Tommy, Hair and Rock of Ages which are rock musicals with better defined characters and more entertaining stories. "

Yup. In the Berkeley program, they made the unfortunate decision of printing an article on The Rock Opera and how IDIOT fit in line with THE WALL, TOMMY, etc. If Mayer had any of the daring Alan Parker had with THE WALL, this piece may have soared. But a girl on wires in a burka ain't cutting it. As musical, it has no book. As spectacle, it's dull.

[mikem]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:58pm

Did anyone try stage dooring? Did the Green Day folks sign?

[peachesr]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:24pm

To be honset there are some musicals Ive been to that I wish didnt have a book they were so bad lol. Good or bad, I dont think anyone could deny the fact that this show is stirring things up. I like it.

[tking001]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:31pm

Does anyone know if they r always going to do the partial view's for $37?
Last night they were a big line of lotto losers and they kept saying they had a lot of seats.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:19pm

actually, wednesday matinees start this coming wednesday, as per telecharge

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:22pm

The stagedoor was a madhouse. I was there only for Green Day and they came out but had lots of security taking them to Sardi's so did not sign much.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:26pm

actually, wednesday matinees start this coming wednesday, as per telecharge

Incorrect.

From telecharge:

Dates & Times
Monday - Friday @ 8pm, Saturday @ 2pm & 8pm

Beginning April 19:
Tuesday @ 7pm, Wednesday - Friday @ 8pm, Saturday @ 2pm & 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm & 7pm

Beginning June 28:
Monday - Saturday @ 8pm, Wednesday & Saturday @ 2pm

On sale thru September 5

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 7:16pm

in response to an earlier poster that asked about John Gallagher vs "johnny" --

the character he plays is "Johnny" and additionally, while performing his music he goes by Johnny Gallagher for the most part. So, whether the poster was using his character's name OR referring to Mr. Gallagher...Johnny fits for both.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 7:18pm

No "lotto loser seats" were offered tonight.

[tking001]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 7:41pm

Anyone know how much the partial view orc's are normally?

[MelissaF]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 8:09pm

Were windowcards for sale at the theatre?

[tking001]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 8:16pm

Yes
Last night they had windowcards for sale

[SNAFU]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:20pm

Saw it tonight and felt it was too long. I left the theatre with my ears ringing and a massive headache from the lights flashing into the audience. Found the show relentless. The "Angsty" dance moves became tiresome and boring after awhile.
Not quite sure what the "message" is supposed to be. We twitch, punch the air and flop on the floor?
The wired Burka woman/ Tunney copulating with a belly dancer made me start giggling on how hokey it was after the initial "WTF?". Not sure if that is the effect the director was looking for.
I had thought the show ended and was waiting for the curtain and it seemed like they tacked on an encore.
Not a show I would see again or recommend to anyone except Green Day fans.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:24pm

It's an Anti-War message, basically.

[ILCamper18]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:25pm

I also saw the show tonight but have a completely different reaction...

What a great show-

First off, signing the walls as you walk into the theatre is a great touch. However, the walls are already covered! You would not believe that the show only had one prior performance. It looks like it was weeks worth of signage. Some people took up more room than necessary which is just unfortunate.

Green Day was sitting in the Orchestra again tonight and received and warm welcome. Billie Joe pointed to the stage as if he was saying "We aren't what you are here for. Get ready for the show" because it was already past 8 when they walked in.

To the show. What a powerhouse hit. The story is simple and sometimes barely there but with John Gallagher Jr. at the lead, the energy never dies. The choreography is one of the brightest stars of the show. Through the rock hard music that everyone is familiar with, the movement helps tell the story of struggle and pain and confusion in a post 9/11 America.

Tony Vincent also shines as the evil St. Jimmy. I was also impressed with Stark Sands. Didn't expect such a strong voice from him on top of his wonderful acting. It was simple and touching. The army quartet "Before the lobotomy" was particularly touching. I also liked that certain male ensemble members got their moments to shine, in particular Josh Henry in the great number "Favorite Son" and Theo Stockman in "Too Much too soon"

The design of the show is spectacular. the lights were spectacular and the set is simple yet vast. I love the use of the TVs throughout the show and the live camera work. It was also nice having the band on the stage in an interesting and unique way.

This show is going to be a hit. There was no sign of a second preview any where. Technically, the show was flawless and the ensemble was completely in touch with each other. A really strong unit. The audience was very supportive and strong with only one woman forgetting she was in a broadway theatre and screaming at some inappropriate points.

Julie White and Tom Kitt (obviously there as part of the creative team) both seen in the audience. Green Day seemed humbled by the whole show and the first to stand at the curtain call


After seeing The Addams Family, Memphis, Fela and now this, I think American Idiot has a VERY strong chance come Tony time. I think it will now really give Fela a run in choreography and should take multiple design awards. John Jr. will def be nominated for leading actor and I wouldn't be surprised to see another performer nominated as well, maybe Vincent, Sands or Jones.


A really great show in extraordinary shape for where it is - a must see

[Brick]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:45pm

"To the show. What a powerhouse hit. The story is simple and sometimes barely there".

And you lost me here. My point exactly. Even those who love it can't defend it's lack of story or character development. Its a bunch of young actors singing a Green Day album, i.e. a grad school project.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 12:01am

"Its a bunch of young actors singing a Green Day album, i.e. a grad school project."

BINGO!

[JP2]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 4:35am

"The story is simple and sometimes barely there".

LOL
More like, the story is non existent and never there.

[broadwayrocks2]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 8:52am

Brick your posts come across as angry . Do you even like Green Day music to start with ? Of course you're entitled to your opinion . You know what they say about opinions ! I think the songs hit the nail on the head the way the country felt post 9/11. The show has some flaws . I still loved it ! I will say the person who posted right before you had a great review !!!!!!they get it !!!

[mikem]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 9:57am

American Idiot feels like the love child of Spring Awakening and Movin’ Out. Similarly to Movin’ Out, the show is a loosely structured virtually dialogue-free evening based on the works of a single artist, and like Movin’ Out, the lack of dialogue makes the storyline very simple, with some of the songs feeling shoehorned into the throughline. (The spoken word in “American Idiot” is almost all just a sentence or two here and there in monologue-format.) And with the director, set designer, lighting designer, and sound designer of “Spring Awakening” on board, the show contains a lot of the sensibility of that earlier show, but flashier and “bigger.”

I think the lack of dialogue really hampers the complexity of the characterization, although the cast is excellent and does a great job. Although the show has touching moments, the lack of fully developed characterization and storyline made it difficult to be become completely emotionally engaged in the plot and characters.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Tony voting. Having seen The Addams Family and American Idiot very close together, it is inevitable that I am comparing the shows. I enjoyed them both, although I think I enjoyed The Addams Family a little bit more. But The Addams Family is a very flawed version of a musical that could be (should be) much, much better than it is, while this production of American Idiot is probably the best version of a dialogue-free Green Day musical we’re going to get. It is hard to say which scenario is more award-worthy.

Fair warning: American Idiot is almost at Passing Strange volume levels, so if you have sensitive ears, be careful. And if you are sitting in the side orchestra on the inside aisle around rows C - F, there is a blinding light right in front of you at the bottom of the back wall (which means you are staring right at it when you look at the stage and it is angled directly at you) that goes off probably 10 times in the first number (and many more times throughout the show). My eyes literally started hurting from the light, and I had to stop watching the show at one point. Michael Mayer and the rest of the creative team were sitting very close by, so I’m hoping that they know, and I’m hoping the angle on that light gets moved just a tad. (I feel like an “American Idiot” for not having mentioned it to them!)

I was also pleasantly surprised that the audience was very well behaved. Quiet moments really were quiet, and no one within earshot was singing along. The rest of the show was so loud, though, that it helped to cover up any talking/rustling/etc.

For those who are interested, the stage door is very chaotic and really a mess. Hopefully, after Green Day stop coming to the show (they were there again tonight), the stage door will quiet down and it will actually be possible to get signatures.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 10:26am

Mikem. I was in the Mezz and had the same problems with the lights. A raging head ache ensued. This is not a show for people who are prone to seizures.

[mikem]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 10:36am

SNAFU, thanks for the clarification. The lights are SEARING. If it's that widespread, the creative team must know about it. I guess they aren't concerned, which is unfortunate.

Where was the screaming woman sitting, by the way, and when was she screaming?