American Idiot
By Green Day (music), Michael Mayer (book)
and Billie Joe Armstrong (lyrics, book),
The Den Theatre, 1329 N. Milwaukee (map)
thru Oct 25 | tix: $28-$36 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
Electric and incendiary
The Hypocrites presents
American Idiot
Review by Lauren Whalen
I don’t listen to Green Day much anymore, but the band was a constant presence in younger years. Their seminal album “Dookie” expressed every ounce of angst, sexual confusion and anger I felt as a high school freshman but was too shy to fully express. Later on, the albums “American Idiot” and “21st Century Breakdown” guided me through the uncertainty of my twenties. In the past, I’ve generally not been a fan of The Hypocrites (unpopular opinion, I know), but being a fan of Green Day and the stage version of American Idiot, I was eager to see the company’s interpretation. I was not only satisfied but inspired, electrified and thoroughly rocked.
Besides providing the score, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong co-wrote the musical’s book and did a stint as St. Jimmy in the original Broadway production. Indeed, the angsty passion of Green Day is felt everywhere in the source material, and The Hypocrites retain this spirit while adding unique touches of their own. Most every actor also plays at least one instrument, leading to a seamless blend of music and story, and much of Katie Spelman’s choreography has the organic feel of kids thrashing at a rock show. The intimacy of The Hypocrites’ new space – an extension of The Den Theatre – perfectly illuminates American Idiot’s loud instrumentals, soaring vocals and in-your-face emotion. On opening night, the audience was a lovely mix of theater critics, Jeff Committee members and punkily-attired youngsters, yet the production had a unifying vibe that was wonderful to witness.
Additionally, director Steven Wilson enriches several significant aspects of American Idiot’s story and character development, improving upon the original production. Tunny’s choices are foreshadowed early on, rather than coming out of nowhere, and the character’s love interest ties back to his past in Jingletown (as opposed to the problematic portrayal on Broadway). While the character of Will can be somewhat stagnant – as he largely doesn’t “move on” – Wilson works with staging and music to make Will’s storyline more compelling, and is aided by the strong performances of both Cullen and Alex Madda as his girlfriend, Heather. And the elimination of the post-curtain call cover of “Time of Your Life” is perhaps Wilson’s wisest choice, as this added absolutely nothing to the show and rang false and sappy.
American Idiot is an intense, exhausting show for its actors, even in productions when they’re not also the musicians. Fortunately, Andra Velis Simon’s fantastic vocal direction is perhaps the production’s strongest element, and the sterling cast wails with aplomb. Spelman’s choreography is best when it feels organic, particularly in the “Holiday” production number, though occasionally relies too much on hand gestures that border on show choir. Joe Schermoly’s set design maximizes the space with colorful grittiness that’s reflected in Mieka van der Ploeg’s vibrant costumes.
The production’s terrific cast showcases the best of young Chicago actors and musicians. Ensemble member Elisa Carlson’’s violin work added a haunting quality to songs like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” Dakota Hughes, also in the ensemble, displays a powerful set of pipes and physical flexibility in a memorable vocal riff. Brian Keys brings authority and dark comedy to “Favorite Son,” and Linsteadt’s Johnny is a winning mix of rebellion and goofiness. While not the strongest singer, White’s St. Jimmy is a dynamic presence that could seduce even the most straitlaced individual to the dark side of humanity. And Perkins is an utterly heartbreaking Tunny, oozing feeling out of every pore as the character explores the complexities of being a “hero.”
Equal parts quietly profound and piercingly harmonious, American Idiot gives a theatrical taste of a seminal band. The Hypocrites’ magnificent production recalls the frustrations of feeling stuck universal to all teenagers, the importance of knowing one’s enemy, and the strength of chosen family. Enter, rock out and leave changed.
Rating: ★★★½
American Idiot continues through October 25th at The Den Theatre’s Heath Main Stage, 1329 N. Milwaukee (map), with performances Fridays 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, Sundays 3pm. Tickets are $28-$36, and are available online through Tix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at The-Hypocrites.com. (Running time: 90 minutes without intermission)
Photos by Evan Hanover
artists
cast
Luke Linsteadt (Johnny), Jay W. Cullen (Will), Steven Perkins (Tunny), Alex Madda (Heather), Becca Brown (Extraordinary Girl), Krystal Worrell (Whatsername), Brian Keys (Favorite Son), Malic White (St. Jimmy), Isa Arciniegas, Marcos Barnes, Elisa Carlson, Whitney Dottery, Dakota Hughes, Michael Kurowski, Aubrey McGrath, David Daniel Smith, Janelle Villas, Alexander Zukoff (ensemble), Tyler Brown, Jeremy Gentry (understudies)
behind the scenes
Steven Wilson (director), Andra Velis Simon (music director), Katie Spelman (choreographer), Joe Schermoly (scenic design), Mieka van der Ploeg (costume design), Heather Gilbert (lighting design), Rick Sims (sound design), Linda Sherfick (properties design), Kaitlyn Grissom (technical director), Pat Fries (production manager), Gabby Welsh (stage manager), Evan Hanover (photos)
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