American Idiot

Last weekend my friend Jill and I went to see the new musical, American Idiot, based on the Green Day album of the same name. It's currently premiering in Berkeley, and I am thrilled we were able to get tickets during its short run there. It was AWESOME!!

Check out the trailer HERE.

I loved the album the first time I heard it, and now can't stop listening to it the second time around. When the album came out several years ago, I was intrigued by the story woven through the songs and how it made the most sense when it was listened to from start to finish, in the order Green Day wanted us to hear it. On their own, the songs are great. When they're put together in the right order, they can simultaneously excite me and bring me to tears. Seeing them attached to an actual storyline made them even more powerful. I cried three times during the performance.

The lyrics of so many of these songs are incredibly powerful, as the lyrics to many of the band's songs are. Here's a quick sample:

American Idiot - Chorus

Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn't meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow
We're not the ones who're meant to follow
But that's enough to argue

Are We The Waiting - Second Verse and Chorus

Forget me nots and second thoughts live in isolation
Heads or tails and fairytales in my mind
Are we we are, are we we are the waiting unknown
The rage and love, the story of my life
The Jesus of suburbia is a lie

And screaming
Are we we are, are we we are the waiting

21 Guns - First Verse

Do you know what's worth fighting for
When it's not worth dying for
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating
Does the pain weigh out the pride
And you look for a place to hide
Did someone break your heart inside
You're in ruins

It was sort of funny to see the crowd at the theater, especially since we just recently saw Green Day in concert (video below from our concert - click the link to see photos).



I would venture a guess that at least 75% of those in attendance last Saturday had never seen Green Day in concert and likely didn't own a single Green Day CD. Jill and I were among the youngest in attendance, and we figured most of the folks there were there for the theatrics of it all. It was quite interesting to observe. They actually handed out earplugs as we made our way to our seats - we passed.

I really hope this makes it to Broadway. It's been selling out pretty much every show in Berkeley, and it would be so great if more people could experience it. If you have the chance, SEE THIS SHOW!!

As a side note to our Berkeley adventure, we found a YUMMY Louisiana restaurant - Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen. I highly recommend it! Authentic hush puppies, po' boys and beignets. Not to mention good service! Check it out.

All in all, a fabulous day in Berkeley! Now the journey to and from on BART? Well, that's always an adventure unto itself...