American Idiot Play

Hello everyone, how are you doing?

Are we ready for another Green Day treat? The trio are currently filming the music video for their newest album's title track, "21st Century Breakdown" with director Marc Webb.

Webb has produced videos for the punk rockers in the past including "21 Guns" and "Waiting" from their 2000 record "Warning". It is still unknown when the video will be released, but keep your eyes on the guy's official website, GreenDay.com for more details.

In other Green Day news, the "American Idiot" play has been extended three extra weeks by the Berkeley Rep's box office. Now instead of its original closing October 11th, the show will now run through November 1st. The theatrical musical began its limited run on Thursday, September 3rd and the theater has already started experiencing an "unprecedented demand for seats".

The play features songs from the band's "Idiot" album as well as new tunes from "Breakdown". Actors and actresses staring in the musical include, John Gallagher Jr., Matt Caplan, Michael Esper and Rebecca Naomi Jones.

You can read all about the exciting news surrounding the amazing "American Idiot" play on Variety.com!

Hey there everyone rise and shine! Hope you're ready for another fun day here at Nimrod Street!

While Green Day were doing interviews for their recent Rolling Stone cover, Billie Joe Armstrong discussed details about the theatrical "American Idiot" musical, and the shock he felt hearing other people singing his songs.

The week after, the director of the play, Michale Mayer, spoke to RS about how the trio influenced his previous musical, Spring Awakening, and other cool stuff! 

On the first page of the article, Armstrong is asked when did the idea for the musical first come to be:

" 'American Idiot' is a punk opera. But I was very self-conscious about it. I didn't want it to come across as pretentious. Someone said, 'what is the influence' I said, 'this record has more in common with Rocky Horror than Leonard Cohen.

The idea was, 'wouldn't it be great to make a film out of it?' Then the film idea fell through the cracks, which was a bummer. The enthusiasm got lost. Then the guy from Spring Awakening, Michael Mayer-he was doing an interview. Someone asked him what he wanted to do next, and he said he'd love to do the musical of "American Idiot". One of the kids from the fan sites put that up. And a year and a half later, lo and behold, we get a call from him."

He was also asked what he thought of Spring Awakening when he first saw it:

"I was floored. It was so uncharacteristic of what I thought theater was suppose to be. I had no idea what to expect and how unconventional Michael was, in the way he directed this old German play from the turn of the century.

When I saw the show, I kept thinking that a couple of songs- 'Totally Fucked' and 'The Bitch of Living'- sounded a lot like Green Day hits. They had that sound and emotional resonance.

'Totally Fucked'- I remember seeing that and going, 'Did I write that?' It reminds me of 'St. Jimmy'. You forget how talented these people are, these theater kids. They are completely, mind and body, involved in the theater, just as much as I lived punk rock. They embody the whole thing. Then I went to a workshop, and I couldn't fucking believe it. It's incredible- all those voices singing your songs at you."

On the second page, Mayer talks about how the trio influenced Spring Awakening, especially the song, 'Totally Fucked':

"It was the effect I wanted. I was listening to "American Idiot" a lot when we were putting the final chunk of Spring Awakening together. I was literally like, 'Guys, listen to this groove. Listen to that fat guitar lick. Why can't we have this under here?"

Why was "Idiot" the record of choice instead of a classic punk album? Like, let's say "London Calling" by the Clash?

" 'American Idiot' felt so complete to me. The version we will end up performing will have other songs in it- two B sides from the European release and four from the new album. But 'American Idiot' has a huge emotional arc. There was an amazing narrative that was, at times, perplexing and ambiguous, but also so full of possibilities with a multitude of voices. Some of the songs- I heard them as dialogue. Our biggest challenge at the moment is the central secion. The 'St. Jimmy'/ 'Jesus of Suburbia' maxtrix is a complicated thing. That is what we're still grappling with. Every song on the album will be played in sequence. But the sequences will be interrupted by other songs and text."

One particular question that stands out is whether or not Armstrong is protective of his own original material:

"I am basically doing the libretto. Billie was very much a part of it. I kept calling him and e-mailing him every different version of my scenario. But the libretto is basically akin to the libretto of Tommy- there is no dialogue per se. I am inventing the way in which these songs function as dialogue- as narrative, as emotional maps.

Could the punk rock genius himself eventually ever compose for the theater?

"When we were together the other night, he did say, 'the next thing, after this, I want to write some thing completely new for you to direct.'

If you've got the gift, who knows where it comes from and why. The great thing is to keep feeding it and take care of it. What is so remarkable to me is to watch him allow that gift to grow and to be unfettered by constraints that people want to put around it. At a certain point, songwriting is more important than image and labels."

 In other news, you may already know about Green Day bassist, Mike Dirnt's designer shoes. But did you know they were animal-friendly? Yes indeed, the Dirnt has collaborated with vegan shoe manufacturing company, Macbeth. It smacks of elegance with brass lace loops.

Also available in high-top style, you can now purchase it from Journeys.com starting at $79.99! Mike has been nominated several times for PETA2's 'Sexiest Vegetarian' award despite not being vegan or even a veg!

You can read the article from NME here!

The guys have a ton of brand new photos up on their site's photo gallery. The pics are taken by photographer, Ross Halfin. Check 'em out!!

I bet what  you really want to hear about is the new video for "21 Guns" right? The video will debut on the guys official Myspace Sunday, June 21st. If you can't wait, here's a sneak peek into the making of!

Hello everyone, having a great week so far? Hope you're all doing well!

The Berkeley Repertory Theater has received two $50,000 grants to help fund all of its upcoming premieres. The "American Idiot" musical is being greatly supported by The Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation.

For another consecutive year, the Repertory has earned the Edgerton Foundation's New American Play Award. This time around they receive the coveted trophy for the debut of a new play by Naomi Iizuka, Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West.

Newsweek has called the "Idiot" play, "a soundtrack for anyone disillusioned by millennial America. For an album that bemoans the state of the union, it is irresistibly buoyant."

The musical features all thirteen tracks from the album, as well as several new songs from the recently released record, "21st Century Breakdown". Previews begin in Berkeley's Repertory Roda Theater September 4th as a limited run, and ends October 11th.

Good news for all you fans who happen to be gamers, the band will release their very own version of "Rock Band". According to MTV.com there's no official word yet, yet Billie Joe spilled the beans to KROQ's Kevin and Bean's Breakfast show on June 8th.

Armstrong had this to say about the game, "I'm not sure...soon. Like I think not this week, but this year soon...by the end of this year." Hmm...pretty vague! Bet you're super excited about this huh? Can't wait until it's entirely set in stone!

For all you insomniacs out there, the trio will make their week long appearance starting June 9th on NBC's late night show, Last Call with Carson Daly. The program airs weeknights at 1:35am EST, and word has it that the Foxboro Hot Tubs will poke their heads around on Friday!!

Also, Green Day's Myspace performance at Webster Hall has finally been uploaded onto The List's profile. Check out some seriously awesome performances from the band. Don't forget to add them to your top friends as well!!

Now that we're all caught up, just want to wish you guys a happy and rocking week!

Hello everyone, how are you doing? Glad to have you with us!

Concerts aren't the only thing happening this summer, MercuryNews.com posted Summer theater preview on their site. One of which includes Green Day's "American Idiot" musical.

The production will take place in their hometown of Oakland, California at the Berkeley Repertory. Actors will serenade their audience with the band's music such as, "Holiday", "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Wake Me When September Ends". That's not all, there will also be music from the trio's eighth album, "21st Century Breakdown".

The show is said to begin running September 4th through October 11th, and single tickets start from $32 to $86-they'll go on sale sometime in August.

As for other band related news, Green Day will do a gig on Thursday at Tokyo's Akasaka BLITZ. They'll also be on Japanese TV Music Station this Friday, as well as performing live at the MTV Japan Awards this Saturday.

Speaking of televison, the guys are featured on People.com's Top five Daytime TV Moments. Green Day are crowned the number four spot for their appearance on last week's Good Morning America. Check it out righ here!

I recently found a video on RollingStone.com with Green Day speaking about being on this month's issue. It gives fans a behind the scenes look at the cover shoot and much more. Billie Joe also warns fans to watch out for lengthy shows on their upcoming world tour.

Have an awesome week Nimrods!