“American Idiot” by MT Experiments & Creatio Arts
Derby Theatre

“American Idiot” is the story of three boyhood friends, Johnny, Will and Tunny, each searching for meaning in a post 9/11 world. The show features the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer.

The production is directed and produced by Matt Powell, assistant Directors are Adam Guest, Andrew Bould and Rachel Bates, choreographed by Charli Richardson Astle, with musical direction by Anna McAuley, Musical and Band Director is Tom Watkins, sound design by Harry Greatorex, set and costume design by Ana Gabriela Webb-Sanchez and lighting design by Tom Mowat. Matt Powell also designed the video back drop. As you can see there is a lot of talent involved, even before we get to the stage. .

Creatio staged this musical a few years back but this is a new staging, so you’ll see a different show to the one that you last saw them produce. In fact you'll see a different show to any other staging of this rock musical.

Curtis Salmon (Johnny), who I have not seen on or off stage for such a long time, makes a welcome return to the local stage, and what a way to make a return. The main protagonist of the story. On his journey, he experiences nihilism, drug abuse, and lost love in Whatsername. Curtis' voice sounds as good on the full out rock songs as well as the ballads. You can see the fire in his eyes in his tirade speeches.

Ryan Wiggins (Tunny), He accompanies Johnny to the city, but soon joins the military and is sent to war. Tunny suffers serious injuries and loses a leg. During his rehabilitation, he falls in love with his nurse (Extraordinary Girl), and she returns home with him.

Andrew Bould (Will), plans to leave town with the group until his girlfriend, Heather, reveals that she is pregnant with his child. Will stays at home in an alcohol and drug-infused depression. Both Ryan and Will have great rock voices, and it's not everyone who can pull off a really good rock voice when steeped in musical theatre backgrounds. Both also inject a lot of soul into their vocals and passion into their roles.

Jack Readyhoof (St Jimmy) I imagined as St Jimmy as soon as I knew that he was playing this role, but seeing him bring this character alive on stage was a great piece of casting. His face on the video back drop really made him look devil-like, especially with those eyes. A playful performance, and an interesting character to play because you're never really 100% sure that Jimmy is real, or just a drugg-addled image in Johnny's head. Again some excellent vocals and attitude from Jack.

Cat Cunningham (Whatsername), Hattie Kemish (Heather) and
Alana Moran (Extraordinary Girl) all give brilliantly powerful performances, matching the attitude and passion of their male counterparts. Needless to say, their vocals are also powerful and, when required, full of attitude.

Kheenan Jones (Theo) also exercises his vocals, and it's not that often we get to hear them on stage, not as often as we should anyway. Theo is another interesting character with a slightly devilish image.

The ensemble is massive and features many well known and recognisable faces from various local stages and theatre groups, and also of variable ages. This is not just a musical for younger actors and encompasses all.

I must mention Steve Powell of the ensemble with his solo section on "Whatsername". He sounded so much like Neil Young, and when the rest of the ensemble joined in, the song took on a choral feel.

The show includes the hit songs “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, “21 Guns”, “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, “Holiday”, “Give Me Novacaine”, " Good Riddance (The Time Of Your Lives)" and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot”. Also included are several songs from Green Day’s 2009 release 21st Century Breakdown, and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time”.

This production is a cross being rock art and a rock concert with the power and passion on that

stage.The camera and video operator (Rachel Coleman) filming the live action on stage and projecting it to the backdrop screen really gave a a special feeling of excitement, as if you were watching some live news report. It's not a new idea but was not expected, and as I said earlier, nothing like any version of this musical I've experienced in previous production.

There were just a few issues with mics peppered about but not even that could mar anything about this show. Powerful, passionate and practically the perfect rock musical production.

And let me just say as a final note, these guys would not need to go to the gym because the physical side of this show will sweat the pounds of them; I can imagine the stage wouldn't need sweeping after each performance, it'd need mopping.

“American Idiot” is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 13 July. Don't be an idiot, get a ticket!