American Idiot Review

Published by Toronto Mike on December 30, 2011 @ 22:36 in Reviews

American Idiot Review I'm not really a Broadway guy. Musicals typically make me cringe. I liked the Lion King, but other than that I've always left the theatre pretty underwhelmed.

Tonight I saw American Idiot from the 2nd row at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. It was pretty damn good. Of course, it helps if you like Green Day's music, which I do, but even if you don't I think you'd enjoy this show. It looks and sounds great.

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American Idiot runs through January 15, 2012. Back in December 2005, I dissected Jesus of Suburbia. It's a rather interesting entry in retrospect.

Update: There's a performer in this musical who loses his leg in war. I was ten feet from the guy and I couldn't tell how he was hiding his leg. There's one scene where he has a stump for a leg Lieutenant Dan style and another where he has a fake leg... I'm still scratching my head as to how they did it. If you know, please let me know in the comments.

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12 comments

12 Responses to "American Idiot Review"

andrew
December 30, 2011 / 23:57

Saw it on Broadway and now taking the kids to see it in TO. Can't wait. Glad you liked it.

Pigeon Toed Dave
December 31, 2011 / 08:13

What was the final amount raised to buy back the Humble and Fred name that was donated to charity.

Pat
December 31, 2011 / 11:08

Saw a number of shows in my day at the O'Keefe/Hummingbird.
'Cats' at The Wintergarden. Great.
'Damn Yankees' with Jerry Lewis stands out.

Saw 'Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk' on Broadway with Savion Glover. Now THAT'S theatre.

Toronto Mike
December 31, 2011 / 12:01

@Pigeon Toed Dave

They're going to announce the final figure next week. Last I checked, it was just shy of the $5000 mark...

Icarus
December 31, 2011 / 15:18

I didn't used to like it either until I started going to quality shows. Wicked, Memphis and Billy Elliot are also worth seeing.

Mofo
December 31, 2011 / 17:53

I am going to see American Idiot on Tuesday. I can't wait!

Sammi
January 1, 2012 / 15:52

What is this musical about....the Leafs coach??

Jason from Sudbury
January 2, 2012 / 22:27

I dont mind Green Day's older stuff, but dont care much for anything after Nimrod. Holiday is a good tune though, but totally could've done without Boulevard Of Broken Dreams and Wake Me Up When September Ends.

Toronto Mike
January 2, 2012 / 22:38

I like both Boulevard Of Broken Dreams and Wake Me Up When September Ends, but prefer the Dookie stuff.

WTF
January 3, 2012 / 15:17

Green Day Jumps the Shark.

Next stop Casino Niagara appearing with Styx

Lorne
January 4, 2012 / 00:51

Saw it today. I enjoyed it, but the writer in me wished they did more with the plot at themes.

And the halloween haunter in me watched for the effect, Mike. I'm almost certain it's a mirror effect. The actor had his leg tucked under the gurney. They put a prosthetic on the kneecap to make it look amputated.

The leg is under the gurney, surrounded by mirrors on 45 degree angles. Look under the gurney to the "shelf" where a bedpan would go. His leg is there, with the mirrors reflecting the shelf.

If you're ever at Screemers, they have a similar effect. There's a guy "floating" above a chair with his lower half torn off.

Sarah
January 9, 2012 / 12:07

Hey Mike,

The best guess I can gander is theatre magic for the missing leg.

He's sitting on it when he gets wheeled out while his leg is all bandaged, that much I'm sure of. As for the fake leg, I believe that's all the magic of theatre lighting. His real leg is there, but the way the lights hit the fake leg make you look there. That's my best guess anyway.

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