Is AMERICAN IDIOT theatre?- Page 2

[once a month]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 9:32am

To ME, it was a glorified concert, like Spring Awakening. It faded like a dream, barely gave either of them a thought the following day. I guess I'm just too old for teen angst these days.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 10:13am

I don't think this show is SUPPOSED to have a complete story (like so many of you seem to demand it should). From the moment this production was announced, I figured it would be more about my generation's spirit (I'm 20). I figured it would be about the compelling nature to DO something and to rail against what we disagree with. Like the characters in the show, we feel the need to take charge of our lives and make them uniquely our own. But, in the end, that idea can occasionally just be foolish and we end up no farther in life than we were.

The plot of AMERICAN IDIOT seems like less of a "story" and more of an "idea." Is it theatre? Absolutely. No one ever questioned that it was theatre. Like SPRING AWAKENING, this show is going to polarize people. But it shouldn't matter what other people think. I've stopped trying to explain SA to people who didn't "get it" a long time ago. I loved it and who cares if people don't feel the same. The same should be said of AI (which I am very excited to see, hopefully, soon).

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 10:54am

^ Nail on the head.


But even if the themes don't necessarily resonate hugely for you (I doubt my parents will see a ton of themselves in this show, though who knows), I think AMERICAN IDIOT still provides a visceral/sensory kick, and mixes the music in a creative way with stimulating imagery, that those who have little familiarity with Green Day or post-9/11 teenage angst, can still find something about it to grasp onto.

That said, I don't think you NECESSARILY need to belong to our generation (yo soy 24) to relate to being frustrated with your life, or desperately thrashing about in the world to try to do something/anything, only to realize not everyone gets a chance to be "special" or do/be exactly what they wanted.

I realize this is an odd point-of-comparison, but I think it's universal and non-specific to this generation, in a similar way to how "Brokeback Mountain" didn't speak to just the gay community, but anyone who ever let their self-imposed limitations keep them from being truly happy (e.g.: going into whatever business your parents wanted for you, rather than what you love -- or let a relationship lapse for a silly/regrettable reason).

At the end of the day, I think those who are complaining about how thin/weak the book is are bothered by some other element(s) of the show -- maybe they hate the music, maybe they feel its too non-traditional (the Broadway queen sitting behind me said snarkily after it ended "So, THIS is Broadway?" and started bitching about the choreography) -- but as has been stated, the story here is no thinner than "Hair," or for that matter, "Spring Awakening," and I legitimately don't get those who are attacking this show for having more on its mind than JUST narrative.
Updated On: 4/4/10 at 10:54 AM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:30pm

Dramamama, the director uses the raising platform just like in SA for a sex/drug scene in AI, just about in the same position in the show if there was an intermission.
AI didn't speak to me. I found it a bit more of an assault then a snap shot of a period of time. That is me though and perhaps I am not it's targeted audience. As I said before, I didn't particularly care for some of the directing choices.
There were points in the show when the director did have me along on the ride but they were quickly followed by painfully flashing lights and loud (very loud) distorted music (to be fair it was the second preview so they still were probably working on that) and very repetitive choreography (snap of the head, cross body punch of the air, fall down and flop, get up repeat, repeat,repeat) that took me right out of the moment by realizing I was developing a migraine.
If you find AI speaks to you, great! go see it numerous times and enjoy! I am sure there are many people who will. I am all for shows doing well even if I don't particularly like them!
I think I would prefer a well edited Rock video of Green Day performing the album

P.S. yes Brokeback Mountain spoke to me as a gay male. It said, "Hey, I suck"

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 4:16pm

"P.S. yes Brokeback Mountain spoke to me as a gay male. It said, "Hey, I suck""

You're an idiot.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 5:09pm

Yep an American Idiot!