By Nunny Reyes 12th Grade, Manhattan

American Idiot follows Johnny (John Gallagher, Jr. from Spring Awakening) and his friends, a group of young people trying to break free from the society they have grown to know and hate. These characters don’t want to slip between the cracks of our hypocritical society. The play highlights how easily someone can self-destruct when rules don’t apply anymore and freedom is taken in large doses. For example, Johnny meets a girl, Whatsername (Rebecca Naomi Jones from Passing Strange), and they choose drugs to enter an alternate world.

Those of us heading off to college or making a new life transition can easily relate to the difficulties Johnny and his friends face. We are afraid of looking back, but share the same passion to find an escape and discover something new about ourselves and the world.With music by Green Day, the cast fills the theater with unforgettable vocals. The elaborate set displays images, sounds and videos of events that have made a significant impact on our lives.

In theater, we expect to be challenged. American Idiot goes beyond that and truly depicts what life is like for teenagers in our time. With each passing song, the musical becomes more realistic and more truthful.

Nunny had a chance to hang out with John and Rebecca and ask them some questions!

Nunny: John, are there any similarities between you and Johnny?

John: I know what it’s like to feel trapped—like there is something inside of you that desperately wants out in some form of self-expression or self-improvement. The feeling that you might have a gift to put forth that has the possibility to effect change when everything feels uncertain and hopeless. Johnny also walks a fine line between wanting to make himself a better person and contribute to society and on the other hand wanting to self-destruct and selfishly say, “screw it.” I struggle with that kind of feeling daily just by turning on the news.

 

Nunny: Rebecca, are there any similarities between you and Whatsername?

Rebecca: Sure! I believe in love. I believe in truth. I believe in fighting for love and truth.

Nunny: What inspired you to pursue a career in theatre?

Rebecca: I grew up singing and playing the piano and always knew I wanted to make music. When I was insixth grade, a friend convinced me to audition for the upcoming school production of The Jungle Book. I got the part of Bagheera, the panther, and there was no turning back. I immediately took to the imaginative aspect of theater and the joy of story-telling, and most of all to the communal feeling I found surrounded by my peers in those hours of rehearsal.

John: I was obsessed with movies as a child and watched my favorites over and over again until I knew every word and mannerism of every actor; a habit I have a hard time breaking even today. A big turning point was when I saw David Lindsay-Abaire’s play Fuddy Meers Off-Broadway at the Minetta Lane when I was 15. That made me realize how vital and special every corner of theater in New York City is, not just shows on Broadway. That is when I knew I was going to keep at it until I could become a part of that community.

Nunny: What do you hope teenagers take away from American Idiot?

Rebecca: I hope the show encourages teenagers to ask questions of each other, of their parents and of their country. I hope it reminds them that they’re not alone, and to be willing to share with one another, to be tolerant and patient.

John: I hope their way of thinking is challenged. I hope they realize that the future is theirs and that it’s up to them to get involved. I hope they see things onstage that they can relate to and that might help them feel more under-stood or less alone. And I just truly hope that they have a blast.
 
Nunny: What advice do you have for teenagers interested in theatre?

John: Believe in yourself. Stay busy and get involved. Start a theater group or a writing group. Love the challenge. Keep at it and enjoy every step, the up time and the down time. Honor your passion and answer the call.

Rebecca: My advice to any teenager is that if you’ve found something you absolutely love to do, then you should do it. The more happy people there are, the better. And if you want to be in theater, have patience with yourself and with others. Be a good person first and you’ll be a better actor.

 

Read Plogger Amy Leon's interview with Kevin Mambo of Fela!

Read Plogger Chris Ramirez interview with Jon Michael Hill (Franco)
about his role in Superior Donuts and what it’s like to be an actor.