Green Day to Perform 'American Idiot'

There are a number of reasons to rush to see Green Day's groundbreaking musical event, American Idiot, at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago.  First, it's a two-week limited engagement. Second, the music is sensational as its nominations for three Tony Awards in 2010 prove. Third, the young actors, singers, dancers and band musicians are phenomenally talented as they capture the audience with their non-stop singing, dancing, and acting throughout the play.

As a matter of fact, if they are taking an energy drink prior to the performance, I'd like to get the name of it.

Broadway in Chicago proudly presents this intense story of three boyhood friends who are searching for personal meaning in the post-September 11 world. Their journey, told through the music of Green Day, hypnotizes the audience as we, ourselves, search for our own answers to the future of humanity.

Lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, writes the lyrics of the Green Day songs.  Most familiar are the hits: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "21 Guns," "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "Holiday," and "American Idiot" from their 2004 Grammy Award-winning multi-Platinum album.

The book is by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer; direction is also by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer. The amazing (I can't think of a better word) choreography is by Olivier Award-winner Steven Hoggett, with musical arrangements and orchestrations by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom Kitt. Christine Jones is the Tony Award-winning scenic designer, and Kevin Adams is the Tony Award-winning lighting designer.

Each of the cast members deserves kudos, but we'll single out the leads-Van Hughes, Jake Epstein, Scott J. Campbell, Gabrielle McClinton, Nicci Claspell Leslie McDonel and Joshua Kobak.

Individual tickets are on-sale now and range in price from $27 to $95. Opening night every seat was filled with exuberant audience members. Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago Box Offices, the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Kiosk at Water Tower Place, the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Line (800-775-2000), online at www.BroadwayinChicago.com, and all Ticketmaster retail locations (800-775-2000.

The Oriental Theater is at 24 West Randolph Street. The performance schedule is available at www.BroadwayinChicago.com or http://americanidiotthemusical.com with shows every day except Monday with the last show on Sunday, Feb. 19th at 2 p.m.

Eat your own energy bar and enjoy Green Day's American Idiot - it's a special day or evening show you won't want to miss.

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