Stage Review: ‘American Idiot’ Delivers Punk Rock Energy

WARREN, Ohio – Any production of Green Day’s “American Idiot” calls for a lightning pace, youthful energy and a ton of attitude.

Kent State University Theatre’s version of the rock musical, which opened Thursday, checks all of those boxes.

It’s the Mahoning Valley premiere of the show, which is based on the pop-punk band’s album of the same name.

The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 2011, brings the story told on the album to the stage.

“American Idiot” is a concept album that unfolds in a theatrical way, and if you love the album, this show is definitely for you.

But there are other reasons to see it.

Kent’s production is loud, snotty, raw and emotionally ugly at times, as it should be. But its overarching spirit mitigates the nasty realities and eventually provides closure.

The story is told in the songs, with the action transferred to the stage like music videos.

The lyrics were written by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, effectively as the libretto to a musical that had yet to be adapted into a stage production.

That sets it apart from jukebox musicals that take random songs from an artist’s oeuvre and links them together – sometimes torturously – into a loose plot.

There is an additional side benefit for longtime fans of the album. Seeing the show allows for greater understanding of the lyrics, because they are delivered as dialog or monologue.

“American Idiot” is all music, all the time, and the entire album (and then some) is included in the show. There are a lot of songs, and the dialog is sung when there isn’t.

A live band, led by Rosie Bresson and tucked away at the rear of the stage, handled the music with a perfect touch, matching the album’s speed and dynamics but never overpowering the singers.

It was clear that the cast members were having fun, and that it began during rehearsals. After the show ended, they surprised director Shiloh Hart with an “American Idiot” guitar prop that they autographed.

At its core, the show is a standard Broadway-style rock musical. It has drawn comparisons to “RENT” – which is not a bad thing – and they are apt, especially in the second act when things take a serious turn.

As director, Hart never lets the train slow down, and the results are quite riveting.

The two-tiered set is simple but effective. A raised platform extends across the rear of the stage, with staircases on either side.

It’s used to great effect in the full-cast choreographed scenes, getting everyone on the small stage without making it appear overcrowded. The action on the elevated section is brought to the forefront with lighting.

Hart spiked the musical’s ensemble with a foursome of dancers who figuratively and literally do much of the heavy lifting.

They provide an eye-catching focal point in the big numbers, eliminating what could have been a weakness. And they also double as speedy set-piece movers who keep the action swirling without pause during transitions.

The dancers are Erica Hays, Katie Kurdziel, Kailey Meehan and Makenna Liller Dahman, who also serves as choreographer.

Because it’s a rock musical, great singing voices are not a requirement. But emotional energy is, and the main cast members capture all the complexities. One segment that stands out is the song belted out by McKenna Lago – who plays the cute-tough love interest Whatshername – in the breakup scene.

Another moving song was the elegiac “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” which was one of the many radio hits the album spawned.

The story told in “American Idiot” focuses on Johnny, Will and Tunny – three aimless young friends in a dysfunctional suburbia. In a stroke of great casting, they are played, respectively, by Demitri McMinn, Paul Dahman and Keith Stepanic and handle the lion’s share of the action.

Johnny, who is the wildest one, heads for the big city, where he takes up with the heroin-using Whatshername.

Because he is about to become a father, the bong-hitting, video game playing slacker Will remains stuck in place – physically and emotionally.

Tunny heads off to the military, where he is sent to a war zone and is injured in combat.

The three friends reunite at the end, a bit older, a lot wiser and with no regrets.

Another key role is St. Jimmy – the devilish alter ego of Johnny – played by Harmon R. Andrews with his usual aplomb.

Jojo Garcia is a powerful presence as Heather, the pregnant wife of Will. Bethany Yamaner plays the Extraordinary Girl.

Featured ensemble actors are Nate Chapline, Carly DelliQuadri, Jose Garcia, Trudi Herrholtz, Dakota Smith and Cadence Treich. Ensemble members are Steve Brown and Emma Woodyard.

The two-weekend run of “American Idiot” will continue with performances at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday and July 25-27; and 2 p.m. Sunday and July 28. The show has adult themes and language. The theater is at 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren. 

For tickets, click HERE.

Pictured at top: The cast of “American Idiot” includes Kailey Meehan, Demitri McMinn, Keith Stepanic (standing), Paul Dahman and Katie Kurdziel.

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