Center Theatre Group's upcoming ASL-infused revival of the Green Day musical American Idiot, being presented in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre, has found its full cast, with performances set to begin October 2. The production will reopen Los Angeles' Mark Taper Forum, with opening night set for October 9 and performances continuing through November 10. CTG Artistic Director Snehal Desai is at the helm.
The cast will include Steven-Adam Agdeppa, L.J. Benet, Will Branner, Jerusha Cavazos, Lark Detweiler, Daniel Durant, Kaia T. Fitzgerald, Landen Gonzales, Tyler Hardwick, Otis Jones IV, Milo Manheim, Josué Martinez; Giovanni Maucere, James Olivas, Mason Alexander Park, Monika Peña, Mars Storm Rucker, Mia Sempertegui, Angel Theory, and Ali Fumiko Whitney. Casting is by Beth Lipari.
The company includes both Deaf and hearing actors who will perform simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English. Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) is choreographing, with ASL choreography by Colin Analco. Deaf West has presented similar revivals of such musicals as Big River and Spring Awakening, both of which transferred to Broadway.
American Idiot is based on the landmark 2004 Green Day album of the same name, with lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong and a book by Armstrong and original director Michael Mayer. The iconic songs become the soundtrack of a story following a new generation of young Americans struggling to find meaning in a post-9/11 world. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2010. CTG and Deaf West's new staging comes as the album—which includes such tracks as "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "21 Guns," and the title song—celebrates its 20th anniversary.
“This production of American Idiot challenges us to stretch the canvas of traditional theatre, painting new possibilities by connecting the material to Deaf characters and digital innovation," says Deaf West Artistic Director David Kurs in a statement. "The expressive power of American Sign Language will bring a vibrant symphony of meaning and emotion to the songs of Green Day."
The revival will feature scenic design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Lena Sands, lighting design by Karyn Lawrence, sound design by Cricket S. Myers, projection design by David Murakami, and wig, hair, and make-up design by Shelia Dorn. David O is music supervisor, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tom Kitt. David S. Franklin will serve as production stage manager.
This production of American Idiot has been licensed from Music Theatre International.
Tickets are now on sale at CenterTheatreGroup.org.
