Center Theatre Group's ASL-infused revival of the Green Day musical American Idiot, presented in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre, has extended its run, with performances now set to continue through November 16. According to press notes, this will be the only and final extension. The production opened October 9 after beginning previews October 2, with CTG Artistic Director Snehal Desai at the helm.
The cast, which includes both Deaf and hearing actors who perform simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English, features Steven-Adam Agdeppa, L.J. Benet, Will Branner, Jerusha Cavazos, Lark Detweiler, Daniel Durant, Kaia T. Fitzgerald, Landen Gonzales, Tyler Hardwick, Otis Jones IV, Milo Manheim, Josué Martinez; Giovanni Maucere, James Olivas, Mason Alexander Park, Monika Peña, Mars Storm Rucker, Mia Sempertegui, Angel Theory, and Ali Fumiko Whitney. Casting is by Beth Lipari.
Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) is choreographing, with ASL choreography by Colin Analco. Deaf West has presented similar revivals of such musicals as Big River and Spring Awakening, both of which transferred to Broadway.
American Idiot is based on the landmark 2004 Green Day album of the same name, with lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong and a book by Armstrong and original director Michael Mayer. The iconic songs become the soundtrack of a story following a new generation of young Americans struggling to find meaning in a post-9/11 world. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2010. CTG and Deaf West's new staging comes as the album—which includes such tracks as "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "21 Guns," and the title song—celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The revival features scenic design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Lena Sands, lighting design by Karyn Lawrence, sound design by Cricket S. Myers, projection design by David Murakami, and wig, hair, and make-up design by Shelia Dorn. David O is music supervisor, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tom Kitt. David S. Franklin serves as production stage manager.
This production of American Idiot has been licensed from Music Theatre International.
Tickets are at CenterTheatreGroup.org.
