YORK, Pa. — A trio of friends battle their way through life's struggles in post-9/11 America in a rock musical based upon the title album "American Idiot" by Green Day.
While the show is based upon pre-written songs now 20 years on, cast members say the show has a message they never thought of when listening to the album growing up.
"I never knew there was a storyline to it," said Amani Weary, who plays St. Jimmy in the show. "Being able to see the show, be in it, a part of that has shown me what story music can tell."
"You're glimpsing into someone's life," said Louis Salazar, who plays Johnny in the show. "Stuff that happens in America that no one likes to talk about."
He talked more about the show and his role on FOX43 Morning News at Nine:
That storyline does take on adult themes of drug use and more. However, cast members ask that the audience not be distracted by them.
"It's more than just the drugs they're doing," Weary said. "People will look at this show and think that's all it has, but this show has so much texture to it."
Weary also noted that different audience members may take in a different experience of the show based upon their own personal journeys.
"Whatever hits for them is what's important," Weary said.
Performances of American Idiot at Dreamwrights Center for Community Arts runs through June 16. For more information, visit the theatre's website.