will my parents hate american idiot?

[Preethi]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:30pm

Im going to NYC and really want to see american idiot. I'm going with my parents who are cool and open and havent really ever seen a musical they didn't like. I'm concerned they wont like this one- they love all types of music but we haven't been to a rock opera and I'm not sure if this is a bad idea- if it will be too loud, or if the plot is thick enough. Please help!
Updated On: 3/1/11 at 01:30 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:33pm

They'll love it as much as they love you.

[TheatreDork3]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:33pm

The first time I saw the show I sat next to a man in his 60s who had seen the show 6 times. I guess it ultimately depends on your parents.

[maxximumvolume]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:34pm

The plot is definitely not thick enough. There is no plot. There's a very basic narrative thread that holds the songs together with an attempt at character development that works half of the time.

But it is fun, the energy is insane, and the staging and choreo is fairly excellent. As long as they know what they're getting themselves into, I don't see why they wouldn't like it.

Perhaps play them some Green Day before you go?

[musicalman2]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 1:37pm

If your parents are cool and open minded, I suspect they will love it. They might get more enjoyment if they review the lyrics of the songs first, or listen to the album. But it's a great show.

[mominator]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 2:05pm

If this helps, I am 47 years old, have 3 kids, (all in their 20's) and love this show!

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 2:09pm

I took my 52-year-old dad to see the show back in September and he loved it, but he also loves Green Day. I think it depends on your parents...my mom doesn't like that type of music and I don't think she would have enjoyed the show as much as my dad did.

[Whatshisname]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 2:12pm

I'm 48 years old and have seen the show 4 times.

Posted: 3/1/11 at 2:14pm

Yeah, play them the title track and "Holiday," and see what their reaction is.

It does get loud, esp "Give Me Novocaine."

And there is lots of swearing, drug consumption and PG-13 sex scenes. Not for the faint, but definitely OK for cool parents.

[once a month]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 3:37pm

My parents would hate this production. They're in their 90's and my Mom still parasails, but she'd still hate it. She did love Wicked and La Cage however.

[once a month]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 3:37pm

My parents would hate this production. They're in their 90's and my Mom still parasails, but she'd still hate it. She did love Wicked and La Cage however.

[winston89]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 4:40pm

I think that if your parents are as open as you make them sound, then they will like it.

I know that there have been instances in the past where people say that they might not feel comfortable watching somethings with their parents but that is something that never happened to me. Hell, my dad and I saw Spring Awakening together and neither one of us felt odd watching the act one sex scene together. However, I have heard people say that that was hard for them to do with their parents.

Also, my father has an eclectic taste of music for a guy in his early fifties. Half the stuff I listen to he loves, and since he loves to go to concerts (as do I ) I almost always go with him because I don't mind and when I do it's free for me.

[Barney Stinson]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 5:44pm

If you are genuinely worried about whether or not they will like it, they probably won't.

Find out if they can handle GD songs. If they aren't really into those, they probably won't be into the show, since that's really all it is (besides a lot of angsty thrashing about).

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 6:13pm

Do your parents like rock concerts?

Do they like shows with plots?

If the first is yes and the second is no, then yes, they will.

[JillianSch]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 7:03pm

I'm 22 and walked out. The worst theater experience of my life.

[Broadwaygal5]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 9:59pm

My husband and I are in our early 50's and have seen it 4 times - (the last time with Billie Joe Armstrong). We're Green Day fans, but even if we weren't, the show is amazing!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 10:17pm

I had dinner with some of my younger friends on Friday night and the young lady asked me if I'd seen AMERICAN IDIOT. I responded with an arched eyebrow. The young man then remarked that it wasn't the kind of show a 63 year old man would enjoy.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 10:33pm

To sort of echo what's already been said, it depends on the parents. Mine would probably like it because they love rock concerts. In fact, they'd probably like it more than I did.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/1/11 at 10:52pm

I'm a parent. I'm a theater goer. I love Green Day.

Didn't like the show. I left feeling nothing -- and that's not good. (I certainly didn't HATE it, but I'd never see it a second time.)

[viola13]

Posted: 3/2/11 at 10:31am

I know a 90-something year old who loves it and thinks it's the best thing he's seen in years. So I think it's really all up to personal preference. I would personally take my dad in a heartbeat, but I'm not so sure about my mom.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 3/2/11 at 10:54am

My mother took my then 15 year old sister to see it and they both loved it. But she was pretty much aware of Green Day's existence for a good ten years with me (even going to a concert), but I would say she was always a big theater person. She enjoyed it more for the rock concert vibe, and the last time she actually enjoyed a rock concert was a long time ago.
Updated On: 3/2/11 at 10:54 AM

[April Saul]

Posted: 3/2/11 at 12:10pm

Hey, I'm in my 50s and I liked it more than my 23-year old daughter! If your parents like Green Day, they'll be fine.