All Across the Alienation: Green Day's American Idiot at PACA

Contributed

Bringing the wildly successful 2004 Green Day album American Idiot to life on the PACA stage, a locally star-studded cast led by director Jordan Wolfe prepares to have audiences rocking, rolling, and reflecting on what it means to be an American.

BEGINNING THURSDAY, AUG. 21

When pop-punk trio Green Day came onto the MTV scene back in the late 1900s, they were met with immediate teenage allegiance alongside confounded parents. How can these weirdos with only a few strings on their instruments actually be making music? The answer didn't matter: their songs were catchy, energetic, and reflected the angst, boredom, and frustration of being young in America. Fast forward a decade or so to 2004 and those three weirdos succeeded in creating a Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album in American Idiot that has since been made into a two-time Tony Award-winning musical that will hit the stage at the Performing Artists Collective Alliance (PACA) this August.

The performance of American Idiot contains little to no dialogue, relying on the lyrics from the album to tell the story, which is of three men struggling to find meaning in a post-9/11 America. Johnny (played by Curtis Jones), Tunny (played by Ryan Dawley, 40 Under 40 Class of 2024), and Will (played by James Wallace), leave their sleepy hometowns in an attempt to find excitement in the big city. Their paths are eventually divided by major life events and the story builds from their life choices. Additionally, the male leads are complemented by their female counterparts: Whatsername (played by Bre Womble), Heather (played by Maeve Kirby, 40 Under 40 Class of 2023), and Extraordinary Girl (played by Rebecca Ropelewski). Director Jordan Wolfe comments on the cast, "The cast is exceptionally strong. We are approaching the show in modern and unique ways and the connections between the castmates and their understanding of the text began on day one. They are full of energy matching the fast-paced nature of Green Day's music."

Wolfe comments on the staying power of the album and its continued relevance, "American Idiot resonates so strongly today, as it did when it was written, as we watch political factions idolize the violence and separation that divides us as people across several instances." He continues, "This show encourages uncomfortability, discussions on difficult topics and coping mechanisms, as well as making it inviting to people across generational divides due to the popularity of the music. Extremism kills, and if we can highlight it in any way it is our responsibility to do so." 

American Idiot (rightly) contains potentially offensive language, sexual themes, and drug use. It's recommended for an adult audience.

Eight performances through Aug. 31 // 7:30 p.m. (Sunday performances at 2 p.m.) // PACA, 1505 State St. // $20 // For tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com