Jobsite’s ‘Green Day’s American Idiot’ at the Straz: Fabulous, Spectacular

Jobsite’s ‘Green Day’s American Idiot’ at the Straz: Fabulous, Spectacular

Green Day has never been in my musical wheelhouse; most of what I know is the music Donna plays in the house. She had experienced ‘American Idiot’ twice before, and I thought I should go to learn about Green Day and this musical featuring music by Green Day, lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, and book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer. This was also my first outing since surgery July 16 (total knee replacement), and we saw the final performance August 9 for the run that began July 15.

My biggest regret about this review is that it is too late to encourage people to go; it is not, however, too late to recommend that the various musicals put on at Jobsite are uniformly superb.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this performance.

First item is that I regret my ignorance about the depth and power of Green Day. Better late than never.

Second item is that I did not expect to cry on numerous occasions during the show. Why? Because everything — EVERYTHING — was SPECTACULAR!

The ensemble cast

The lead singers

The ensemble cast

The band

The stage set-up

The ambience/vibe in the room

The ushers and staff

EVERYTHING!

First and foremost, a show such as this cannot happen without a spectacular band, and this group, led by musical director Jeremy Douglass (all manner of keyboards), CRUSHED every element of ‘American Idiot,’ from the opening title to track to the glorious finale, “I Hope You Had the Time of Your Life.” Douglass was joined by Mark Warren and Dan Mockenstrum, guitars; Joe Grady, bass; Elwood Bond, drums; and the delightful addition of Tom Kersey on cello!

Next, of course, you need magnificent vocalists with athletic dancing ability, because this was a nearly non-stop dance festival with great music interwoven. The named cast members include Kiara Dorthea, Cody Farkas, Noa Friedman, Jaryn McCann, Spencer Meyers. Matthew Morris, and Mariela Zeno, and the equally impressive ensemble cast members Ev Frederick, Katie Huettel, Kayley Jewell, Mandi Rotolo, Troy Ochoa-Rowland, Alex Rodriguez, Jacqueline St. Pierre, and Kayla Witoshynsky.

And, of course, shout-outs to Director David Jenkins, Choreographer Alexander Jones, Lighting director Jo Averill-Snell, Costume designer Katrina Stevenson, and Scenic Director Chris Guiffré.

Kudos to all for making me cry, again and again, with this marvelous, spectacular, glorious, stunning, surprisingly uplifting show. Bravo and brava to all!