I know Deaf West is doing the show in LA, but is it time for it to come back into the mainstream? With everything going on in all corners of the world, would this make even the smallest bit of difference? Also I would just love to see this show, only just finding out about it's existence a few months back and being a dumb teen that can play most of green day's library on guitar it would just rock all together.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/22
Music was great, the book not so much. Might be a good idea to wait a few years before revival on Broadway since we currently have "Tommy" revival running. Not sure if there is audience for two rock shows like these to be running at same time.
It would flop immediately.
I don't think anyone wants it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
The original production, which was about 15 years ago, lost a lot of money. Especially given the likely fail rate this season, I can’t imagine anyone getting too excited, unless they rethink it, e.g., small production, low budget. I can’t help thinking it is too soon.
I missed American Idiot the first time around, but I am psyched to see the Deaf West version. We went to see their Spring Awakening in LA because I liked a few songs from the show, which I also missed (too broke + far away for Broadway back then), and it was enormously touching and beautiful and got me super into the show.
While I am not gonna hold their American Idiot to that very high standard, I think they will do something really special with it and I can't wait! If it's a success, maybe they'll be able to do it in NYC somewhere, even if just for a limited run.
It was never time for an American Idiot production, let alone a revival.
Not even Billie Joe Armstrong was able to save that dud.
The making of documentary (Broadway Idiot) was far more interesting than the show.
It's not likely coming back.
I thought the original production was absolutely incredible. I saw it three or four times.
Whatever happened to the film version that was supposed to be made ?
I didn't dislike the show, but still felt more connected to the documentary.
Although it wasn’t a success on Broadway, it’s since been produced worldwide. I could see it coming back. I recall liking it and thinking it didn’t get a terribly fair shake back when it debuted- it was a very weak season with a popular blowback against Hollywood on Broadway and American Idiot kind of got caught up in that. I also think it was somewhat ahead of its time.
i think with a visionary director at the helm, it could be compelling revived.
I forgot it was shown little love by the Tonys- only getting nods for scenic, lighting, and best musical, with no performers being nominated despite having an acclaimed cast doing excellent work. But this was also the year that Memphis won big.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/11
Kad said: " I recall liking it and thinking it didn’t get a terribly fair shake back when it debuted- it was a very weak season with a popular blowback against Hollywood on Broadway"
This year was actually sort of the culmination of Broadway embracing Hollywood with 4 of the 8 Tony acting awards going to movie stars. Which then led to a definite blowback against Hollywood on Broadway (at least from an awards perspective), but American Idiot got in before that started.
I think it likely had more to do with being only 3 years after Spring Awakening won big. Not that the shows are the same by any means, but from what I recall there was a definite "Oh look, another Michael Mayer show with flashing lights and young angsty people screaming rock songs" kind of vibe going on around it.
This would be great as a concert or a limited semi-staged thing, but it really never worked as a musical. I saw it several times and the story never seemed as coherent as Tommy or some other concept albums that have been translated to the stage.
https://playbill.com/article/daniel-durant-tyler-hardwick-mason-alexander-park-more-will-star-in-asl-american-idiot
Okay so how about now?
I hope I’ll have a chance to the the CTG/Deaf West production. I loved it on Broadway. While I will generally root for a musical with an original score to garner more awards attention, I thought that season had two visionary “jukebox” shows (this and Fela), and that it was a damn shame that Memphis won the Tony. I really loathed that show.
Jennifer Weber is an A+ choreographer choice for this production.
Thrilled to see this!!! Hope it comes to NYC at some point!
Time to revive this a second time!!
Is anyone seeing the first LA preview
Saw the original production a good 8-10 times. I absolutely loved it. While I understood some of the criticisms, I think they were a bit over-exaggerated.
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