Tuesday night (April 20) sees the official Broadway opening of "American Idiot," the musical based on Green Day's smash aggro-political 2004 album of the same name. That particular album makes perfect sense as a staged production, as there is a running story line and consistent characters built into the tunes. But Green Day's album catalog is deep, and provided that "American Idiot" does well, it could open up the band to more stage (and possibly screen) opportunities. In case they need some ideas, here is the scenario we dreamed up for the band's hit 1992 album Kerplunk.
Holden is 20 years old and used to be a golden boy, ranked near the top of his high school class and well on his way to escaping his small suburban town on the Michigan peninsula. But after his freshman year at an Ivy League school, his dad left, leaving him to try to rein in his alcoholic mother. Until recently, he lived in a loft in an old factory on the outskirts of town with his girlfriend Jeanette, who just left to follow her dream of becoming an astronaut ("2000 Light Years Away"). He is consoled by high school friend Rufus, who offers a sympathetic ear ("One for the Razorbacks") but is more concerned with partying ("Private Ale").
Rufus convinces Holden to party with the townies at the local bars ("Welcome to Paradise"). Holden thinks he's above that, but he agrees to go anyway. He drinks too much and gets depressed, but just before he blacks out, he spots an angelic waitress named Christie, with whom he immediately becomes obsessed ("Christie Road"). Just as he goes to talk to her, Christie's boyfriend clocks him on the back of the head with a bar stool and knocks him unconscious. While he's under, he has an inappropriate dream about Christie ("Dominated Love Slave").
Awake in the hospital, Holden realizes he has to commit himself to finding and winning Christie ("80"). His detective work starts with his hospital roommate Gerald, who happens to be Christie's father ("Android") and who hates Christie's boyfriend, who Holden learns is named Mike. Gerald agrees to help Holden win Christie's heart, but lets him know that he'll have to change his entire approach ("One of My Lies").
Holden heads home to reinvent himself ("Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?") and decides that the only way to win Christie's heart is to stand up to Mike. He recruits Rufus and they head back to the bar. Rufus tries to talk him out of it ("Words I Might Have Ate"), but Holden is determined. The bar is just closing up as they approach, and Christie is getting into a car with Mike. Holden panics, forgets all about his plan and immediately professes his love for her ("Best Thing in Town").
Christie is confused about who this young man is ("Strangeland") and orders Mike to take care of him. This time, both Holden and Rufus wake up in the hospital. They are battered and bruised but grateful for the catharsis. As the sun rises, they each resolve to focus on the good times and maybe even form a band ("Sweet Children"). The pair check out of the hospital with renewed hope, knowing that they don't have to impress anybody but themselves ("My Generation").
What Green Day album would you like to see on Broadway? Let us know in the comments!
Tags American Idiot, green-day
