The Biggest Idiot Of Them All

My dear readers,

When a big, non-Broadway name 'invades' the Theater District, I typically roll my eyes, mutter, and begin to whine about how the real actors are starving while a movie star or reality tv castoff is taking the spot of someone truly talented.

That tends to be the order of things. It happened with Scarlett Johanson, Claire Danes, Joey Fatone, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia,and various others. They already have careers. Let those of us who didn't whore our way to the top have a chance.(Allegedly!)

However, every so often there is stunt casting that is so pitch perfect that it stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Billie Joe Armstrong is every exception to the rule.

Sir Armstrong (too dramatic?) wrote the original American Idiot album as a member of the legendary punk/rock/a toe into pop group Green Day. He also helped pen the book, or script for you non-theater kids, for the musical of the same name. Already he had my blessing. When you lend your creative voice to a project and continue to see it through, you get props for not simply throwing your name on it and calling it a day. This was Billie Joe's project and collaborative vision.

And damn if he didn't pull us in for one hell of a ride!

Billie Joe is, first and foremost, a rockstar. He knows it. I know it. The audience clearly knew it. His stage presence was all encompassing, even usurping the stage from giant in the making John Gallager Jr. The part was to play a rockstar. OK, so it wasn't much of a stretch. Hell, he only wrote the damn thing...

Clearly, Billie Joe was excellent. He did his thing and sang the hell out of his own songs. It was so much fun to watch that I literally sat up in my seat for the entire 95 minute show, tapped my foot, and grinned like a kid on Christmas. This was stunt casting done right- finally!

However, this wouldn't be a review without a critique or 2.

My main gripe is that there was no real character of St Jimmy. I know, I know- he's in a band. That IS his character. His trademark is black spikey hair, a scowl, and enough black eyeliner to keep CoverGirl in business for the next 20 years. I get it. But as an actor, I didn't see a difference between the man himself and the character of St Jimmy.

Second, it is painfully obvious that Mr Armstrong wasn't a big fan of the steps on the scaffolding on set. While John Gallager Jr and company swang freely and with nearly reckless abandon, Billie Joe seemed to have a thought bubble above his head that read, "are you fucking kidding me?!" every time he was required to run down the stairs. For an drug dealing character, fear of stairs wasn't a good choice.

The third, and final, gripe of sorts has nothing to do with Billie Joe or the production. It simply has to do with the people who put the idiot in the show while sitting the next row over. Yes, we're all there to see Billie Joe. I'm there for the exact same reason. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Please don't ruin it by loudly professing your love for him during the show. Don't switch seats to get closer. You distract others and it's terrible theater etiquite. Maybe you can afford to see the show again and I'm happy if you can. But not all of us are that fortunate. My excursion tonight means that I have to go light on eating this week because it was not in my budget. I'm not saying this to complain or to draw pity- I'm saying it because when someone screams in the middle of a song, or changes their seat, or exhibits any other sort of cretin-esque behavior, it's distracting. Above distracting, it's rude not only to your fellow audience members but to the actors on the stage. Those kids busted their butts to make us, the audience, happy. Theater is supposed to be an enlightening experience. It's hard to be enlightened when there's people running in front of you, obscuring your already partial view of the stage.

Let me step off my soapbox...

There were some really nice moments on stage tonight. Many of them happened in the background when the ensemble thought noone was looking. They all had these huge grins on their faces; like they couldn't believe that they got to rock out with the voice and partial creative force of Green Day. Their expressions went from "Holy cow" to "I can't believ this is my life" to "holy crap, I don't want to screw this up- don't forget the words!" It was refreshing to see a cast so into what they were doing.

Also, there is very clearly a nice rapport and respect between Billie Joe and John Gallager. They really like each other and at times it felt like more of a jam session that the audience was privy to instead of a show. It's not a gripe by any means- I have a weakness for guitar players and musicians- it's just an observation. There was a wonderful moment early in the show where Billie Joe put his hands on the back of John's shoulders and shook him in the way a mentor would when passing the proverbial torch. The fact that I got to witness such a moment made it worth the price of admission.

So, dear readers, should you find yourself in the wonderful City of New York and you're looking for a punk-rock musical experience before Sunday, I highly suggest taking in American Idiot at the St James Theater.

Trust me- you won't regret it.
- Deb
www.deborahheagen.com

Idiots of America

It is an integral part of the growing process as an actor to see live theater and to have the full theatrical experience.

Tonight, I am fulfilling my duties and will be seeing American Idiot on Broadway.

But why, Deb, are you seeing the show again after seeing it in early July?

The reason?

Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day is playing the role of St. Jimmy until Sunday.

Also, I'm mildly phobic of seeing Green Day in concert. I'm tiny at exactly 5 feet tall and those Green Day fans certainly like to mosh. To say that it would be unsafe for me to attend is an understatement. Tonight is likely the closest I will ever get to seeing the band in concert.

A full review of the show will be posted on the way home tonight. Since I already know what to expect, I'm looking forward to a new take on St Jimmy and to figuring out how they did all the set and prop changes when I wasn't looking.
Cross your fingers that I can snag Billie Joe's autograph after the show. I'm armed with a sharpie!

I Could Only Hope For A Black Hole Instead Of A Time Warp

Had a terrible audition for Rocky Horror.

I was so bummed I had a Cinnibon for lunch.

Some auditions hit me harder than others. This one knocked the wind out of my sails quite a bit.

My voice is much more West Side Story than Rocky Horror it hurts. I have 4 octives but it's all too classical for pop and too pop for classical.

I'm just very frustrated with auditioning.

How do I combat this?!

~ Deb
www.deborahheagen.com