'American Idiot' at Berkeley Repertory: What did the critics think?

With the opening of "American Idiot" this week in Berkeley, the rock band Green Day makes its first official leap into the world of musical theater.

It also means that the band is venturing for the first time into the bloodied lair of drama critics.

Not known to welcome crossover talent with undiluted warmth or affection, theater reviewers tend to take a special pleasure in eviscerating inaugural efforts by pop theatrical neophytes. Berkeley Repertory has, for the time  being, asked the national press -- including the Los Angeles Times -- not to review "American Idiot" during its world premiere run.

In case you haven't heard by now, "American Idiot" is adapted from Green Day's hit album of the same name. The musical, directed by Michael Mayer ("Spring Awakening"), features an ensemble of young stage talent, including Tony winner John Gallagher Jr. The show revolves around a fictional character named Jesus of Suburbia and also features songs from other Green Day albums, including the current release "21 Guns."

So what did local critics have to say about "American Idiot"? Keep reading to find out ...

The San Francisco Chronicle's Robert Hurwitt wrote that the musical  "doesn't deliver much in the way of character or story" but added that it "packs plenty of excitement and entertainment into a remarkably theatrical rock concert." He also noted that earplugs are available at the theater, though the decibel level doesn't reach rock-concert levels.

Leslie Katz of the San Francisco Examiner also complained that the book for the musical "remains thin. Surface characters, an undeveloped plot, MTV-inspired choreography and costumes that look too much like costumes (or like they were supplied by fashion experts at Levi’s, a show sponsor) at times lend a lack of authenticity and keep viewers at a distance."

In a review published by the San Jose Mercury News, music critic Jim Harrington of the Oakland Tribune slammed the production by writing: "There will hopefully come a day when the stage adaptation of 'American Idiot' is seen as just a curious misstep in Green Day's otherwise highly enjoyable career." He went on to say that the "music sounds processed and stale, handled with kid gloves by way too many players and sung by more than a dozen actors that have rehearsed the original fire right out of the songs."

The Mercury also published a review by its theater critic Karen D'Souza, who had kinder things to say about the production. She described the show as a "punk extravaganza that, as the song goes, explodes in your heart like a hand grenade." The musical, she added, is as "compelling as it is abstract, [channeling] the grungy spirit of punk while also plucking at the heartstrings."

-- David Ng

Photo: A scene from the Green Day musical "American Idiot." Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[oldrocker]

I'd suggest that people read all of the reviews for themselves, as picking and choosing quotes as you have done doesn't really give one a totally accurate account of a review. I cannot even say the quotes you used were the most indicative of each critic's review. Not bad, but not great. It would be better if you would just go see it and review it for yourself. I certainly intend to do so.

[Robert]

Middling reviews? You've got to be kidding. I read the local reviews which, with the exception of Jim Harrington's, range from positive to effusive. The negative comments from the SF Chronicle and SF Examiner are caveats in otherwise laudatory notices. You've practically made Karen D'Souza's rave review -- she is one of the two most powerful voices in Bay Area theater coverage -- a footnote in your story. You could be president of that club of reviewers who "tend to take a special pleasure in eviscerating inaugural efforts by pop theatrical neophytes."

[Josh]

I was lucky enough to see one of the first performances of A.I. and I felt it was great. The stage show looked great, and like a good punk fan zine, they were able to use every square inch of room on stage. The performance probably wasn't for people who don't understand counter cultures, but neither is most of green days music.

The cast was absolutely outstanding, and really energetic.

[sue bell]

I really was fearful about the play, having seen the play about john lennon and found that to be garbage. The morning before we went to see the play I read Harrington's review and it seemed to verify my fears. I almost didn't use the tickets but I went and I was very much surprised that I really like it. The singing was great, the stage wonderful! I found myself thinking about the play many hours later and I still find it to be a refreshing interpretation of one of rock's classic albums.