American Idiot takes Green Day’s hit punk rock album and brings it to life in a spectacular way. This lively, loud, and bold musical is able to bring out the inner punk and non-conformist in everyone. As said by Mike Pianoforte, who captures hearts as Johnny, “The term “punk” is anti-conformist, which is part of the drive that makes us want to break free… Conforming is basically being okay with all the bad things around us.”

American Idiot tells the story of our brazen anti-hero, Johnny, who goes by the self-proclaimed title “Jesus of Suburbia,” and his two friends, Will and Tunny, as they attempt to break free of their bleak, puppet-like existence in early 2000s suburbia.

Each of these young men deal with their internal and external struggles attempting to find the balance between rage and love- a conflict that seems to define their entire generation, and still does to this day. Elyse Stanziale, a member of the ensemble, said, “…in the show we’re not just breaking away from suburbia, but I feel like we’re creating a fine line between who we are and who we want to be.”

Laura Diorio, who plays Saint Jimmy, was able to sum up the musical in a few sentences: “What we’re taking on is so much greater than any form of theatre anyone has ever seen. The art we’re creating is so beyond us… There are so many moments in the show, with dozens of people on stage, and yet, each one looks and feels so terribly alone… I have never been apart of a more purposeful and profound production and I probably never will be again.”

Green Day’s heart-pounding, eye-opening songs cause all who listen want to stand up against the rigorous grind of society and embrace their inner punk. American Idiot is timeless to many fans, and the message of breaking free will continue to inspire and excite.

American Idiot will run in the Southside Theatre on April 7th, 8th, and 9th at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at https://mhss.booktix.com/ with limited availability. Be advised that this is a PG-13 production.