American Idiot (The SOB Review) – St. James Theatre, New York, New York
*1/2 (out of ****)
Spectacular staging, adrenaline-pumping
choreography, mesmerizing
projection design (among a host of other truly
impressive design elements), energized cast and an electrifying and often intriguing
score should all add up to
American Idiot taking its place among the year’s top musicals.
Yet with no intelligible book to deliver a galvanizing plot, the tuner -- based primarily on a
platinum 2004 recording by pseudo-punk rockers
Green Day -- loses its focus, as well as its way. And there’s nothing worse than being overcome with boredom thanks to youth disaffected for its own sake.
That this has been billed as the Great White Way’s first punk rock musical is wrong on so many levels, not the least of which is that the true spirit of punk would surely view Broadway as the antithesis of the specifically antiestablishment art form. It’s a complete sell-out of the highest order.
The punk aesthetic is sold-out even further in this production’s compromised conclusion when -- SPOILER ALERT! -- Johnny, the central character (
John Gallagher, Jr.), ultimately eschews the punk lifestyle in relatively short order (the show lasts a mere 95 minutes).
All this makes American Idiot nothing but a mere poseur.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.Labels: American Idiot, Broadway, Green Day, John Gallagher Jr., Musical, punk rock, The SOB Review
SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #6: John Gallagher, Jr.Introduction: While others use the end of the year to provide their lists of the top shows of the past year, here at Steve On Broadway (SOB), I wait until the conclusion of the entire Theatrical Season to provide my official tally.
Instead, I'm once again devoting the waning days of the calendar year to celebrate SOB's Singular Sensations -- those magical live performances that have stayed with me throughout the year. During 2007, I have enjoyed, been wowed and ultimately inspired by a dazzling display of excellent performances from some of the theatre world's best actors, singers and dancers of our time.One of the single most electrifying theatrical moments of the past year was spent in the company of the cast of
Spring Awakening. While it actually opened last year Off-Broadway before transferring to the Great White Way, it wasn't until this past February when I finally had the opportunity to see the year's Tony Award-winning Best Musical.
Of all the performances from that show, none has taken hold of me quite like the portrayal of the troubled young Moritz by
John Gallagher, Jr. Upon each additional -- and fairly frequent -- listening of the
original cast album, it's always Gallagher's dark tracks that strike a chord within me, and I'm sure they resonate with any youth who has ever felt dissaffected or dismissed.
In my
SOB Review last March, I may have given simple notice of:
...a breathtaking John Gallagher, Jr. in a sharp, stunning departure from his role in last year’s Rabbit Hole.
But there was nothing simple about Gallagher's brilliant and haunting performance, which was recognized with a well-earned Tony Award. Fortunately for Gallagher, his future is infinitely brighter than that of his character's, and I'll be looking forward to more great things from this gifted actor.
He may no longer be with the show (
Blake Bashoff replaced him on December 18), but the lingering memories he's created makes him a singular sensation to be reckoned with. Here's toasting John Gallagher, Jr.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:SOB's 7 Singular Sensations Of '07 - #7: Jennifer Holliday (December 27, 2007)
Spring Awakening (The SOB Review) (March 3, 2007)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #1: Patti LuPone (December 30, 2006)
Honorable Mentions: SOB's Singular Sensations Of '06 (December 30, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #2: Cate Blanchett (December 30, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #3: Chita Rivera (December 29, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #4: Barry Humphries (December 28, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #5: Kitty Carlisle Hart (December 28, 2006)
SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06 - #6: Meryl Streep (December 26, 2006)
Labels: John Gallagher Jr., SOB's 6 Singular Sensations Of '06, SOB's 7 Singular Sensations of '07, Spring Awakening
