I Want To Be An American Idiot

Yesterday M and I ventured into Manhattan. I love going into New York as much as possible. Work sometimes makes it difficult, but if I can get there once a week, I’m usually a happy girl. There is always one Broadway show that I’m dying to see. This past winter it was Hair, and you all so my post on how that changed my life. When I heard that Green Day was producing a show based off of their American Idiot album and John Gallagher Jr, who won a Tony award for his portrayal of Moritz in Spring Awakening, was starring as the main rebel with a cause, I knew I had to see him rock out once again. American Idiot opened on my birthday, 4/20, which is not too surprising for a show about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, but I took it as a sign.

Our train arrived in the city at 11 am, and I forced M to run the streets of New York so we could get in line at the TKTS stand in Times Square. I recommend using TKTS whenever you are flexible. The tickets are cheaper, and they usually give you decent seats (You need to have other shows in mind, however, in case your show sells out before you get to the booth.) After waiting an hour in line, I finally had two tickets in my hand (and they were 50% off!). Being able to breathe once again (I really wanted to see this show), we had a quick lunch and went on our way to 44th St.

The Theatre District is one of my all time favorite Manhattan locations. Sometimes I zig zag between the streets just to take a look at what is playing where. All the marquees for the different shows remind me of how much talent is hiding behind every stage door and how many wonderful shows I still need to see. My playbill wall is becoming covered, but not nearly covered enough. The best part about being home once again is that now I have the money and the time (until each show closes) to see as many shows as possible. How lucky am I?

When we arrived at the St. James Theatre, M and I stood in line with all the other “Idiots” waiting to enter. The great thing about a show such as American Idiot is that it literally brings every sort of person together. The “punk” crowd was strongly represented at this show…it is all Green Day music after all. The one thing I wish I had done differently was thought more carefully about my clothing choices. My Abercrombie and Fitch ensemble was not cutting it next to the girl with the pink, machine-gun covered dress or the girl with the red and black striped stockings. But hey, that’s the beauty of theater. Not many shows could merge preppy with punk and help us forge a “love for American Idiot” bond.

The actual show was everything I hoped it would be and more. The musical has about ten minutes of dialogue. Everything you need to know is in the music, and it was great to see the numbers performed as a storyline. I knew all the songs already, but seeing them acted out was an incredible experience. From the moment "Don't want to be an American Idiot" was sung to the end when they had their "Homecoming," each character gave their all, and my eyes never left the stage. I think I turned to M once and said, "that's Lea Michele's boyfriend!"...but that was all the chatting we did. I also love how there is no intermission. Just an hour and a half of pure magic on stage. Johnny (John Gallagher Jr) was such a dimensional character, and I connected with him on so many levels. Whatsername is the woman I want to be. She was fierce, fun, and caring – Every character was important, and I was never sure who I should be watching since they all were doing their own thing. It was truly a great show, and if you’re a Green Day fan, I highly recommend. I will be seeing it again soon, and next time I will be wearing black.