Review for American Idiot at the Ahmanson Theater

Blazing in on a blast of energy and punk musical theater rage, American Idiot is making its well-anticipated Los Angeles premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre from now until April 22. American Idiot tells the story of three friends who long to escape their self-described hell of suburbia with decidedly disappointing results. One can’t even leave their town, one gets seduced into the military, and the other succumbs to the allure of drug addiction. But the story isn’t the focus of this show: with very little dialogue, American Idiot brings to life Green Day’s seminal album as well as other songs from their catalogue by doling out those songs to the three characters and the women around them.

The show is every bit as powerful as it was on Broadway, with a young cast that mixes Idiot veterans with newcomers. Van Hughes is excellent as Johnny, who anchors the show with his voice and his guitar playing. Scott J. Campbell is a wonderful gentle giant as Tunny the enlistee. And Jake Epstein takes the very difficult role of Will, a guy who never leaves his couch, and makes him incredibly sympathetic. The Tony-winning industrial set is filled with scaffolding and TV monitors that comment on the action, and the Tony-winning lighting is particularly evocative. Every cast member is fiercely committed, and I’m a huge fan of Steven Hoggett’s choreography. If I had to pick a favorite moment, it would be Tunny’s dream in the military hospital, where he and The Extraordinary Girl (Nicci Claspell) literally take flight, and my favorite cast member would be Leslie McDonel as the pregnant girlfriend and the best dancer in the company.

American Idiot is a special, rewarding, even challenging show that was passed over for the Tony for Best Musical by the far more conventional (and, in my opinion, inferior) Memphis. Don’t miss it! - Andrew Blau