Ball State is bringing the early 2000s nostalgia this theater season with the production of "American Idiot," a musical based on the Grammy award winning "Green Day" album. After its release, the album was transformed into a rock-opera and later debuted on Broadway in 2009.
"American Idiot" tells the story of three young men, Johnny, Tunny and Will, who struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world as they trade their hometown lives for the thrill of the city.
The musical includes every song from the punk-rock band's "American Idiot" album. It was previously performed on Broadway where it won two Tony Awards.
The director of the musical and Ball State professor, David Little, said the album was the band's reaction to tragic life-changing social events that happened in the early 2000's.
""Green Day' was responding to George W. Bush and his response to 9/11,” Little said. “The apathy and frustration during the beginning stages of the war in Iraq inspired this album.”
In recent months, the album has regained popularity. In fact, "American Idiot" ranked No. 1 in the United Kingdom the day before current President Donald Trump visited London in July.
"When the show opened on Broadway in 2010, things changed in some extent in terms of Obama becoming president, so there was this new sense of hope and renewed interest in the political landscape,” Little said. "In the last year or so, however, the album is becoming popular again as people are listening to it and using it in response to Donald Trump's presidency."
The show is targeted for fans of "Green Day," however, through props, scenery and lighting, Little says this play is applicable to everyone.
"People who love ‘Green Day’ and ‘American Idiot’ are going to enjoy the show, but there is also a lot of interesting and fun things to look at and experience for people who aren't familiar with the band," Little said.
"American Idiot" will hit the University Theatre's stage at 7:30 p.m. September 21-22 and 25-29 and at 2:30 p.m. September 23, 29 and 30. General admission tickets are $18 and student, faculty, staff and seniors tickets are $15.
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