Musings on AMERICAN IDIOT

[Eos]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 12:22am

After reading all of the varying opinions on this show, I was excited to have the chance to see it for myself this past Friday during my trip to NYC.
I can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand, I had a great time! The powerfully strong ensemble cast was impressive to me and I loved the music. Never thought I would come home with a cast recording from Green Day, but I did. Yes, it was loud, but not too loud for me. It reminded me of a 21st century version of Hair in its sentiment. The whole disillusioned disaffected youth thing. But, I do think you can feel disillusioned and disaffected at any age. I identified with some of the songs, and I'm not a kid.
After listening to the recording though, I understand the complaints about the weak plot. The songs from this concept album don't really advance the "plot" at all. Some recordings, you can listen to the whole thing, and get a sense of what the show was about. Not the case with this one, I think. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the songs on the recoding although they are a bit... angst ridden.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 7:19am

I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would, and plan to go back to take it all in again. I understand the comparisons to HAIR, but even though HAIR has a weak book, it is thousands of times better. HAIR is able to take you from laughter to an intensely serious place on a dime...for example: "Your draft card arrived today."
Even though one of the leads in AI enlists in the military, it's no where near as powerful as when the army gets Claude.
I wish that the creative team at American Idiot had a more powerful point to make. It was almost like they weren't sure what their point was. If they were sure of what they wanted to say, they certainly didn't say it very convincingly. Regardless though, I found it stunning from a visual standpoint, and that, along with the hard working cast is why I'd like to see it again.

[Eos]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 12:19pm

I agree with your points about HAIR, Gator - much more engaging.

Seems like I remember reading somewhere that Green Day had a staged musical in mind when they wrote the album. Really? M'kay. Not to disparage the show too harshly - I did love it, but like you said, I wish there had been more of a point to make.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 12:54pm

Completely agree. I enjoyed the show. LOVED the design. I adore Green Day and the music but I felt like the book didn't have enough to say to warrant a staged production.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 4:21pm

^
I had read all the chatter about the lack of book before actually seeing the show, but in actuality there wasn't much room for a book because the show was so straight forward that the need for a book wasnt really warranted

[Steve2]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 4:24pm

"Regardless though, I found it stunning from a visual standpoint, and that, along with the hard working cast is why I'd like to see it again."

I saw this on Sunday and can't stop thinking about it. I agree with what has been posted so far.

[wendilin622]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 5:12pm

I saw it last week and haven't stopped thinking about it. I absolutely loved it... I agree that there wasn't a need for a strong book. I got such a strong story from the music, I didn't think a bigger book was necessary. While I've never shot up heroin, there were so many parts to the story, asa 24 year old I could really relate to. I'm looking forward to a return trip as well.

[darquegk]

Posted: 6/1/10 at 5:15pm

Having a really strong, developing story would have been contrary to the story, and the album's essential plot and theme- "Life is bleak, essentially meaningless and inherently unpleasant, and you can't beat that. Your life is as useless and interchangeable as anyone else, and in that way, we're all the same."

[silversurfer2]

Posted: 6/2/10 at 9:12am

I agree with the posters who say a stronger book is not necessary. I loved this show. And have gone back numerous times and have been moved by the songs and the wonderfully talented, hard working cast. Just my opinion.

[jpbran]

Posted: 6/2/10 at 4:09pm

Can understand the "book was lacking" sentiment, but was still enthralled and moved 100%. Guess some shows can work while being more free-flowing and non-specific. Sounds like a cop-out, but again -- the show REALLY worked for me, full-fleshed book or not.

(Besides -- it could have the most perfectly executed Mamet/Shanley/Hwang co-written book, and this show would still have haters looking for anything to grab onto as a reason to explain their disdain.)

And regarding the Hair/AI comparisons -- just like AI, a cursory listen to the Hair Cast Recording won't exactly clear up the plot, etc. for you either.

"Who's the drag queen?" "He's supposed to be in HIGH SCHOOL???" "Who's from Manchester?" "Who's Frank?" "Benzedrine -- wtf?"