Anthem of the Youth
A rock musical becomes the voice of the Millennials
A rock musical becomes the voice of the Millennials
“Iwalk this empty street, in the boulevard of broken dreams”—a line from Green Day’s song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” represents the youth, those of them with heads full of dreams, and hearts slowly losing hope.
Why do they lose hope? Most adults think the reasons are petty—wanting to be accepted, low self-esteem—or something more major, like drugs, teenage pregnancy, peer pressure, and alcohol. One way these kids cope is through music, whether by Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, One Direction, Panic! At the Disco, or Green Day.
Green Day is a punk rock band that has captured the angst and problems of the youth. Their songs from the American Idiot album talked of their struggles and, through their songs, walked with them on the “boulevard of broken dreams.”
The album was inspired by the 9/11 bombing, American politics, and war, and gave a generation their favorite songs such as “American Idiot,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” and more. The nine-track album yielded numerous awards such as Favorite Pop/Rock Album from the American Music Awards in 2005, Best International Album from the Brit Awards in 2005, the Best 10 International Rock and Pop Albums of the Year in 2005 from the Japan Gold Disc Awards, Best International Album of the Year from Juno Awards, Best Album from MTV Music Awards. Not only that, it even transpired into a rock musical, because if you listen to the songs, you’ll realize that it is actually a story. Green Day’s rock opera American Idiot, written by vocalist
Billy Joe Armstrong himself, is about three young men Johnny, Will, and Tunny who confront the harsh realities of the world—a symbolic lost America post-9/11, where they must face the challenges of love, teen pregnancy, war, and loss. Each of them has his own struggles: Tunny is shipped to war; Will gets his girlfriend pregnant; and Johnny turns to drugs as he experiences failed relationships and lost love.
The musical is set to the incredibly biting and riveting music of Green Day that features a surprisingly profound understanding of the pains and frustrations of being young today.
Seven years after the musical was created in 2009, the rock op-
era is now going to have a Filipino version, with our favorite rock stars singing and dancing to our favorite Green Day songs. The musical will have rock icons as front row acts such as Basti Artadi of Wolfgang, Miggy Chavez of Chicosci, former Rivermaya vocalists Jason Fernandez and Norby David, and veteran thespians such as Nel Gomez. It is directed by Robbie Guevara of 9Works Theatrical. On June 24, prepare yourself for a night of rock music opera at the opening of the Globe Iconic Store at the Bonifacio Global City Amphitheater. The venue will feature a pioneering glass bridge connected to two separate stores in opposite buildings. It is flanked by two massive LED screens on each side that can be converted into a performance space.
“We are doing this to be a medium of awareness for the youth today, and to bring a valuable lesson on what today’s generation should avoid, such as drugs, peer pressure, teen pregnancy, and more. The show is very relevant to our time. It’s about the struggles of the youth,” says Globe Retail Transformation and Stores management head, Joe Caliro.
Others in the cast are Yanah Laurel, Alex Godinez, Ela Lisondra. Rounding it up are Kai Atienza, Ariel Reonal, Gian Gloria, Mako Alonso, Sarah Facuri, Chesko Rodriguez, Shalee Vicencio, Mark Tayag, and Kendrick Ibasco. “The musical centers on the travails of the three main characters. The story is told through songs. As a director, I think one of the failures or why they are idiots is the fact that they don’t go back to family or they don’t act as family which for me is the foundation for the success of any human being. Always have a family. This show reflects that. Without a family, what you do may lead to unhappiness or being an idiot,” says director Robbie.
Green Day’s American Idiot will have a total of nine nights show from June 24 to July 9. www.globe.com.ph/american-idiot; 02 891 9999; www.ticketworld.com.ph.
The musical is set to the incredibly biting and riveting music of Green Day that features a surprisingly profound understanding of the pains and frustrations of being young today.