Kelvin Moon of Broadway’s ‘American Idiot’ on Green Day-inspired musical
Green Day’s American Idiot is the next touring show to rock out at The Buell Theater. It’s a short run, so hurry to get tickets.
The show is based on Green Day’s 2004 album of the same name and chronicles the lives of three friends, Johnny, Will and Tunny as they seek to escape the holds of suburbia, in hopes of finding a more fulfilling life. Johnny escapes the doldrums of the constraining suburbia to find himself in the exciting swirl of life in the big city.
The show opened in the 2010 Broadway season and got a rave review in The New York Times. It snagged two Tony Awards for Best Lighting Design of a Musical and Best Scenic Design for a Musical. The show was nominated for Best Musical as well. It’s done in one act that’s thoroughly sung and will surely rock and knock the socks of audiences looking for a contemporary rock opera. We were lucky to get an interview with openly-gay actor Kelvin Moon Loh who is a regular in the ensemble of the show as well as being the understudy for main character, Will.
What message(s) are in the music and lyrics of Green Day’s Broadway Musical?
If you listen to the opening lines of the show “Don’t want to be an American Idiot, one nation controlled by the media,” you immediately get a sense of rebellion; very much in line with Green Day’s overall voice as a band. Through the show we hear clearly, from a minority voice of the outcast youth, that we should dare to challenge the social “norms.” Living without abandon and surrender to life.
How does the rebellious tone of American Idiot differ from Broadway musicals of the past like Hair, Rent and Spring Awakening?
American Idiot’s rebellious nature is inherent in the punk music genre and it’s fusion with the Broadway stage. There is very little fat in the construction of this piece. American Idiot was an award-winning album of 2004, [and the musical plays into that as well as] a few songs from 21stCentury Breakdown. Michael Mayer and Billie Joe Armstrong’s usage of the songs doesn’t allow for moments to sit down for a lot of exposition. Instead, you get it all at the same time: metaphor, complex music, political commentary, character development, a whirlwind of lighting and stage magic. The pace of American Idiot is neck-breaking [literally with the head thrashing inspired choreography]. It’s a strong representation of the youth in America now like other successful contemporary musicals have done in the past.
Can you talk a little bit about the superb team of artists who are involved with direction, choreography, set design, lighting and costumes?
Tony WINNING! Christine Jones and Kevin Adams for Best Set and Lighting respectively. And also Tony ROBBED! The brilliant minds of Michael Mayer, Green Day, Tom Kitt and Steven Hoggett reunited to mount the show again for the national tour has been a gift. Michael has had new ideas that he wanted to implement from the Broadway production as he continues to learn from the show with every viewing. Tom Kitt’s orchestrations are unmatched. His vocal arrangement’s of Green Day’s existing work is worth the ticket price alone. Steven Hoggett sets the actor into the choreography and not vice versa. They sincerely are a dream team.
What are the demographics with regard to the audience for this show on Broadway and as regards the touring company?
This show is appropriate for those with an open mind. People who are ready to enjoy a thought provoking theatrical experience that is relentless in speed, volume, energy, rage and love. [There are] lots of young people at the theater, which is really exciting as they foster a new generation of theater-goers, but I have noticed more than my fair share of versed theater patrons bopping their heads in to watch and [have even seen a few] jaws hung down in awe.
What can Out Front Colorado‘s readership expect to experience in this production of American Idiot?
An attractive young cast who gets 90 minutes of cardio eight shows a week. Alright, you may beg to differ but what I can assure you is a theatrical experience that explores the narrative of a group of outsiders. All the characters try to transcend the cards they’ve been dealt and whether or not they prove successful, we root for them. I think that is what initially attracted me to the piece as a gay man. It says being different is both beautiful and ugly at the same time. At the end of the day, it only matters how you demand your surroundings to take you in.
‘American Idiot’ plays at The Buell Theatre March 6 – March 11. Tickets are available at http://denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.
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