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American Idiot heading to Broadway!

posted by Chad Jones on Tue, Jan 5, 2010
in Backstage buzz , News , Our shows

Looks like St. Jimmy is heading for the St. James.

Yes, Green Day's American Idiot, which had its world premiere last September at Berkeley Rep, is going to Broadway.

Producers Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman, in association with Berkeley Rep, announced today that American Idiot will begin performances in March at the St. James Theatre, former home of the long-running The Producers and the soon-to-close revival of Finian's Rainbow.

As in Berkeley, Michael Mayer directs and collaborates on the book with Billie Joe Armstrong. Steven Hoggett choreographs and Tom Kitt serves as orchestrator, arranger, and musical supervisor. The design team includes Christine Jones (set), Andrea Lauer (costumes), Kevin Adams (lights), Brian Ronan (sound), and Darrel Maloney (video and projection).

"Experiencing American Idiot on stage in Berkeley was incredible," said Green Day's guitarist and lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. " We have really enjoyed working with Michael, Steven, Tom, and the cast. The energy and chemistry of the group is contagious. Michael Mayer was able to bring life to the characters of American Idiot, and Tom Kitt's musical arrangements are breathtaking. We're s proud that the show is coming to Broadway!"

No casting has been announced, but the previews will begin March 24 with an opening night scheduled for April 20.

In the last five years, five shows have moved from Berkeley to Broadway: Sarah Jones' Bridge & Tunnel (2006), Stew's Passing Strange (2008), Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking (2009), Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) (2009), and now American Idiot.

Visit AmericanIdiotOnBroadway.com to sign up for updates about the show..

Here's Green Day ringing in the New Year, performing "21 Guns" on New Year's Eve with Carson Daly.

Top photo: John Gallagher, Jr. as Johnny and Tony Vincent as St. Jimmy in the Berkeley Repertory Theatre production of Green Day's American Idiot. Photo courtesy of mellopix.com.