The MU Players did an amazing job of performing a post-terrorist attack, angst-ridden, coming-of-age story with an edgy wardrobe and fantastic set design whey they presented “American Idiot” in Lemmond Theater.
The musical is based on the hit 2004 album, “American Idiot,” by Billie Joe Armstrong and his band, “Green Day.”
As if the stage set was not captivating enough, Misericordia warmly welcomed a live band that played in real-time with the actors and actresses. The audience was lucky to receive a two-for-one price experience – a theater performance and a concert.
The stage was divided into three parts to showcase three different lives of the characters happening separately but intertwining with the main character Johnny Gallagher.
The center stage incorporated huge cut-outs of real newspaper articles published during the time the story was set and several television screens hung on the walls displayed videos or photos appropriate for the scene.
The biggest attention grabber, aside from the actors’ talent, was a two-story scaffolding on wheels used as a vehicle on stage. The size of the prop was challenging to maneuver on and off the stage; however, the actors and stage crew did a wonderful job at making it seem easy in a way that did not detract from the plot.
The players worked diligently at rehearsals to perfect a 90-minute musical without an intermission. Their enthusiasm to honor the arts and perform for the audience paid off as the predicted number of tickets needed to house four groups of the audience sold out.
The catchy, nostalgic, deep-felt lyrics written by Armstrong struck the hearts of many parents who came to support their children’s love for the theater and show their pride in their talent and stage presence.
It would have been difficult to execute the musical to such a level of success without the help of the tech crew. The key to a smooth run-through of the musical is organization, uplifting comments backstage, and hydration, all of which the assistant stage manager provided. The tech crew eagerly worked behind the scenes to ensure the show ran smoothly on stage and the actors’ and actresses’ needs were fulfilled off-stage.
The placement of props and changes of scenery were just a few of the responsibilities crew members were happy to fulfill. Creating special effects with certain props was a fun project to undertake. Two members of the crew used fake blood to prepare bandages for actors to wear on stage to create a stark and raw effect of a wounded or amputated soldier.
After the last showing of “American Idiot,” the MU Players shared their gratitude for theater program director, Scott Woolnough, without whom this musical would not have come alive on stage.