Slinging razor guitars, thundering drums, and an anti-hero named Johnny. Not the prelude of typical entries in the canon of musical theatre. But these elements herald a groundbreaking American musical all the same: with the burning passion of characters who yearn for something more, songs bursting with emotion, and a story that dares you to feel and celebrate and hope. The music of Green Day and the lyrics of lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong captured the zeitgeist of a generation with its Grammy Award®-winning multi-platinum album. American Idiot puts those raw emotions front and center in a highly theatrical and thoroughly satisfying rock opera that burns up the stage.
NOTE: This show contains mature content and strong language. Recommended for mature audiences.
Meet the Cast:
- Jared Machado - Johnny
- Eric Dobson - Tunny
- Christopher Diem - Will
- Erika Mireya Cruz - Whatsername
- Angie Chavez - Heather
- Dagmar Marshall-Michelson - St. Jimmy
- Kristin O'Connell - Extraordinary Girl
- Jack Aitken - Ensemble
- Sophia Barajas- Ensemble
- Wyatt Hatfield - Ensemble
Check out the trailer for our EXTENDED run of Green Day's American Idiot:
VIDEO: In the rehearsal room for Green Day's American Idiot:
REVIEWS ARE IN - GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT DELIVERS:
Review: ‘American Idiot’ delivers the proper punk snarl at Chance Theater
Christopher Smith from The Orange County Register rocked out at Green Day’s American Idiot:
“‘American Idiot’ delivers the proper punk snarl at Chance Theater”
“Chance Theater unleashed ‘American Idiot’ in full, cheerful thrash.”
“there’s nothing dull in the staging underwriting an appropriately youthful cast”
“Efficiently and animatedly directed by James Michael McHale”
“no clenched fist is ever un-thrust, no middle finger left un-flipped.”
“The Chance ensemble did the famous tracks proud”
“this one is worth your time and money.”
'American Idiot' is a "Veritable feast for the eyes" for StageSceneLA
Steven Stanley from StageSceneLA says you have be an American Idiot not to see Green Day’s American Idiot:
“WOW!”
“Director James Michael McHale stages his ‘American Idiot’ as if its three antiheroes’ lives were being performed inside a punk rock club by ten of its angriest, angstiest denizens.”
“Thrilling dance numbers.”
“This ‘American Idiot’ is a veritable feast for the eyes.”
“‘American Idiot’ carries on Chance Theater’s tradition of thrilling audiences with intimate Orange County stagings of youth-propelled musicals at their most provocative and defiant.”
“You’d have to be an American Idiot not to put the Chance’s latest on your must-see list this summer.”
Stage and Cinema felt the visceral heat watching "Green Day's American Idiot"
Tony Frankel from Stage and Cinema got a sensory high during Chance Theater’s Green Day’s American Idiot:
“the music and performances wash over you as a sensory high”
“the sustained visceral heat of director James Michael McHale‘s production is impressive.”
“Keeping the action on boil, Miguel Cardenas’s high energy choreographer is well-done by raucous, committed performers.”
“Jared Machado stars as Johnny, and he throws himself into the role passionately. His all-out work sets the tone for the entire cast.”
“There are no slackers in this ensemble.”
Calling out to Idiot America: Stage Raw has something to say!
Dana Martin from Stage Raw thinks everyone looks punk AF in Chance Theater’s Green Day’s American Idiot:
Recommended!
“Director James Michael McHale directs a powerhouse production, channeling rage into ironically refined art.”
“Miguel Cardenas’s choreography is character driven, exciting and dynamic”
“Raucous defiance emanates from the performers and their energy is infectious”
“Each takes their participation personally, and every performance is fully committed and wholehearted.”
"American Idiot" is an A-Plus Odyssey of Adolescent Angst across the U.S. of A-lienation!
Leo Buck from BuckingTrends thinks Chance Theater is boldly taking musical-theater audiences where they may never have gone before in Green Day’s American Idiot:
“What also sets this show apart is in the way each role and performance is so intermingled (and reliant on) all the others.”
“Miguel Cardenas’ choreography similarly recalls the times and places giving relevance and verve to the evolving stories.”
“Jared Machado has a strong stage presence and a robust voice that’s reminiscent of Billie Joe Armstrong”
“Dagmar Marshall-Michelson is thoroughly magnificent as the sinister “St. Jimmy”
Joel Beers from OC Theatre Guild interviews Green Day’s American Idiot director James Michael McHale and Chance Theater’s Casey Long about the personal and political
“As a company, we are always focused on the human connection,” in the work it produces, rather than any overt political content, says Chance Managing Director Casey Long. “And this is a show that is very much about three friends finding their place in their world after a very destabilizing event in this country”
“recognizing that what makes “American Idiot” fit so well in the Chance’s well-developed wheelhouse of musical productions is that it works on the personal and political levels.”
“It didn’t strike a chord as much as hit a vein of a generation that was trying to speak up and make its voice heard and to question authority,” says Long. “And I think that legacy of speaking out and asking questions is still alive. So, I don’t know if the musical speaks more to the reality of today as much as it’s a fire that never stopped.”
The Show Report proclaims that "American Idiot" is "thrillingly raucous and gorgeously wrought!"
Chris Daniels from The Show Report had a moment during Green Day’s American Idiot:
“from the moment the show opened on this panorama of baleful youngsters in its regional premiere at the venerable Chance Theater in Anaheim Saturday night, these kids made themselves heard, serving straight up each sneering lyric and snarling riff of Green Day’s gritty and dynamic sonic palette, with enough instrumental viciousness to shatter a punchbowl.”
“performed with galvanizing intensity, the terrific cast detonates a fierce aesthetic charge in this pulsating portrait of misspent youth.”
“The show is as invigorating and ultimately as moving as anything I’ve seen on stage this season.”
“Director McHale puts on an edgy, high energy show in a dazzling 95-minutes that feels like a concert wrapped in a musical.”
“The restless, convulsive choreography by Miguel Cardenas is spell-binding.”
The Orange Curtain Review wanted to keep rockin' out after seeing "American Idiot"
Daniella Litvak from The Orange Curtain Review got an adrenaline rush from Green Day’s American Idiot:
OCR Recommended!
“Machado channeled the sound of Green Day’s lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong”
“American Idiot is a high-energy show from start to finish”
“an adrenaline rush of a show”
“You want to keep rocking.”
FIRST READ THROUGH:
It might have been the first time the cast read through (it's more of a sing-through but we digress) the script together... but that DID NOT mean they didn't give us full-body chills... more than once!! seriously... "Wake me up" when this show OPENS! We can't wait!
- The cast, crew, and producers of "Green Day's American Idiot." Directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at Chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Eric Dobson, Dagmar Marshalll-MIchelson, Jared Machado, Erika Mireya Cruz, and Christopher Diem during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Erika Mireya Cruz and Christopher Diem during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Dagmar Marshall-Michelson and Jared Machadoduring the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Eric Dobson during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Sophia Barajas, Wyatt Hatfield, and Jack Aitken during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Christopher Diem and Angie Chavez during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Eric Dobson, Dagmar Marshall-Michelson, and Jared Machado during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Dagmar Marshall-Michelson during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Jared Machado during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
- Eric Dobson, Dagmar Marshall-Michelson, Jared Machado, Erika Mireya Cruz, and Christopher Diem during the first read-through of "Green Day's American Idiot" directed by James Michael McHale, running July 15 - August 14 at chance Theater in Anaheim, CA.
PHOTOS: Sneaking a peek into "Green Day's American Idiot" at Design Preview Party
- "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.
- Executive Producer Rahcelle Menaker at the "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.
- Director James Michael McHale at the "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.
- Scenic Designer Kristin Campbell at the "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.
- Christopher Diem (Will) performing an acoustic classic at the "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.
- Dagmar Marshall-Michelson (St. Jimmy) performing and blowing the roof off the Chance at the "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.
- (Right - Left) Wyatt Hatfield, Sophia Barajas, Christopher Diem, Dagmar Marshall-Michelson, Jared Machado, Angie Chavez, Kristin O'Connell, Jack Aitken, Erika Mireya Cruz, and Eric Dobson (the cast) at the "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.
- Sophia Barajas and Christopher Diem at the "Green Day's American Idiot" Design Preview Party on June 6, 2022.