Green Day Nominated For Tony Awards

Hey Everyone!

Well, looks like American Idiot: The Musical has shaken off those early mixed reviews! Turns out that the show has recieved a few nods from the Tony Awards. The musical has been nominated for three awards at this year's ceremony. Not too shabby for a newcomer, I'd say. The nominations are for the following categories: Best scenic design of a musical (Christine Jones), Best Lighting Design of a musical (Kevin Adams) and Best musical. Hope they come out with something, GOOD LUCK BOYS!

What do you think? Should American Idiot win? Have you seen it?

Rock On,

-Girl At The Rock Show

21 Guns Re-Released With Cast Of New York Musical

Hey Everyone!
So not long after their performance (which was great ps.) at the Grammy Awards last night, Green Day officially released their new video for 21 Guns featuring the cast of their New York bound broadway musical. The video is very simple, it just shows the recording process in a kind of raw, fun way. You see the band interacting with the cast as they all watch this dream come to life. Its pretty cool. I love the way the guys watch the cast sing and you can just see it in their eyes... its like, "yeah, this is it, this is exactly how we imagined it".

Its also kind of interesting the way this song takes on a new life. On one hand, you have a softer side of Green Day. A rock ballad. And on the other hand, you have this musical epic. The cast brings a whole new dimension to the song... I dont care if its "punk" or not to make your music into a musical, when it works it works. Thats really all there is to it haha. And this? DEFINITELY works.

There is so much emotion in this short little ballad. The way the band comes in with them, its phenomenal. You can tell that this isnt about making a quick buck, the guys put a lot of thought into this production. The interactions with the cast make that pretty evident- they're friends. So for everyone who saw this as a move to make a big profit, I have to disagree. They are already loaded... 20+ years in the music industry, and 16 years of hits will do that for you. Not to mention, they started it in a little Berkely theatre... not in some huge NY production. It just did well so Broadway made sense.

New Video: HERE

And otherwise, here's the Grammy performance! Beautiful. Seriously, I am oddly overwhelmed by this version of the song with the cast... its just a stunning arrangement.

Personally, I will be buying tickets for New York once I figure out my exam schedule. Who wants to come with?
Rock On!
- Girl At The Rock Show

American Idiot Coming To Broadway!

Hey Everyone!

It's Official! After much discussion and speculation, it has been confirmed that Green Day's hit 2004 album will be coming to New York's Broadway scene. The show found success earlier this year during a trial run in Berkley. After receiving a number of rave reviews from the band, critics, and fans alike, rumors began to swirl about a possible NY run. The show will run beginning April 20th at the St.James Theatre.

Photo From GreenDay.com

For more info, check out the band's website for the official press release HERE

So now that its becoming a reality, will any of you make the trip over the border to see it?

I know I will be!

Rock On,

- Girl At The Rock Show

American Idiot... The Musical?

Hey everyone!

So, I'm sure most of you are aware that Green Day's album, American Idiot has experienced some praise in a Berkley broadway production. We all knew it would happen, the talks of movies and musicals ran wild with the rock opera's release and major success. The story worked perfectly, who could blame the producers for clawing at the band's door? It was only a matter of time! Well after a profitable run at the San Francisco theatre with critical praise, Rolling Stone is reporting that a NYC run of the show may be in the works.

“American Idiot is that rare creature, a true rock opera…directed with polish and precision by Michael Mayer, on a spectacular set by Christine Jones…Green Day’s potent gift for irresistible tunes delivers the emotional contours of the story…their lushly melodic music is played with impressive raw power…American Idiot possesses a stimulating energy and a vision of wasted youth that holds us in its grip.”—New York Times

Not dates or times have been announced just yet, but there are definitely talks in the works. Personally, I'm kind of excited about this. San Francisco is a bit far, and I definitely want to see this for myself. The band collaborated with director Michael Mayer and the AI producers to bring the stage show to life. Critics are loving the adaptation, and it has only just begun. The show will close the Berkely Rep run on November 15th and who knows what the future holds?

The show follows the story of Johnny and his friends living in modern day America. They face war, unplanned parenthood, battles at home, love, drugs and a variety of other teen struggles. Surprisingly, politics play a rather small role in the heavily political album's stage show. There is also no dialogue, the show uses only music and recordings to convey its story line, and apparently does a fair job of it. The musical features tracks off the American Idiot album, as well as a selection of tracks from the more recent "21st Century Breakdown". If you would like to know more about the plot line (as it can be a little difficult to explain- its rather complex) then check out this article/review by the fan site Green Day Authority. Also, I'll leave you with this trailer made by the theatre where the show is currently closing its first string of shows. 

So what do you think? Would you go see this play if it found its way to a city near you? Do you think the album works as a musical or is it just overkill? What other rock operas would you like to see hit the broadway stage? 

Rock On!

- Girl At The Rock Show

Song of the Day: St.Jimmy by Green Day... An anthem about youth's decent into the grips of madness. Awesome song. High energy, intense emotion, I just love this song.