American Idiot Will Rock The Stadium

The Stadium Theatre will host a production of the smash rock musical American Idiot from August 11 through the 13^th. Featuring songs from Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning album, the show follows the journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world.

Mike Daniels plays Johnny, a free-spirited rebel who wants to start a “metaphysical war.”

“He’s very eager, very open to what the world can bring him,” Daniels said. “He knows that what he is living with right now isn’t enough.”

Daniels, who lives in Lincoln, recently appeared in Goodbye and Hurry Back at Arctic Playhouse.

Daniels credits his fellow performers and the production staff of American Idiot for making his experience so enjoyable.

“It’s one of the most creative processes that I’ve had,” Daniels said. “(Director Zach Boulay) has given us a lot of free rein when it comes to character work.”

Green Day’s American Idiot album had a profound impact on Daniels, who was deeply affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“It resonated so well because I think it was the album that all of us in that time needed,” Daniels said. “It put into words what I couldn’t actually say.”

“I honestly didn’t know much about the show going in,” Boulay said. “The opportunity came up for me to direct this, so I said absolutely. I grew up listening to [Green Day] and have always been a fan, so I started doing research on the show about six months before the auditions were even happening. I ended up falling in love with the story, and the way it was told was just so organic and real-life.”

Jade April is playing Whatshername, a young writer who gets involved with Johnny. April, from Mansfield, Massachusetts, is performing at the Stadium for the first time. She has performed in several community theater productions including Les Miserables and School of Rock. “This is probably the best show I have worked on, period,” April said of American Idiot.

April, who is a major fan of Green Day, notes the show is “basically like a concert.” The show features some adult themes, which are going to shock people. April said, “It’s passionate and it’s real and everyone needs to know that these kinds of things do happen in the real world.”

Audiences will be for an emotional rollercoaster ride, according to Daniels. “There are funny moments, some really sad moments and some dark moments. They’re going to be blown away.”

American Idiot will be performed in the Stadium Theatre located at 28 Monument Square, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Tickets are available at the Stadium Theatre Box Office or by calling 401-762-4545 and online at stadiumtheatre.com