I remember the first time I heard Green Day's album "American Idiot," I immediately thought it was destined for the stage. There are songs that introduce characters, and similar themes run from track to track.
It's a concept album, through and through — reflective of the post-9/11, Bush-era mentality of not only Green Day, but an entire generation of youth being bombarded by war, city squalor and growing pains.
So, when Green Day's "American Idiot" began on Broadway, I was not surprised. Now through Sunday, audiences in Boston have the chance to see the two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway hit being performed at the Boston Opera House.
Bursting with aggression, angst and assaults of energy, "American Idiot" is an ode to bad behavior, sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll that rejects the traditional American musical and refuses to conform.
Theater executed with the punk mentality — loud, boisterous, edgy and fast-paced — it travels with unyielding forward momentum. Without an intermission, it is a straight sprint from beginning to end.
Incorporating tracks from Green Day's last two albums "American Idiot" and "21st Century Breakdown," along with a few original numbers, the musical wisely cuts down on dialogue and zeroes in on showcasing songs.
Most of the story is told visually as robust performances of Green Day's music are performed with a live band surrounding the actors on stage.
For those unfamiliar with Green Day's music, the narrative of the musical may seem hard to follow at first. When the story is told almost completely through pre-written songs, obviously some lyrics will fit better than others.
But the musical, penned by Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong, along with Michael Mayer, truly brings to life the story of a life in the year of three friends.
Johnny (Van Hughes) leaves home to pursue a new life, only to become drawn into a lifestyle of sex and drugs by a charismatic punk named St. Jimmy (Joshua Kobak).
Tunny (Scott J. Campbell) joins the war, while Will (Jake Epstein) is stranded in his hometown to care for the result of an accidental pregnancy.
Throughout, the story and its characters successfully showcase the themes of Green Day's most politically and emotionally charged albums.
But the biggest character here is the ensemble, as "American Idiot" is indubitably a collaborative effort of performance.
The songs are drenched in energy, the dancers move about stage with violent, exciting choreography, and I enjoyed the slight tweaks to certain songs, whether it is with lyrics or experimenting with more orchestral arrangements or vocal harmonies.
This is a show that is all about the music.
It is just as much a rock concert as it is a musical — just as much a party as it is a performance. There were times where I even worried that those around me might wonder if the various lighting effects were giving me a seizure. I could not stop moving in my seat.
The music is complemented with glorious-looking set design, equipped with myriad televisions behind the actors that frequently show clips of politics, news shows and celebrity culture — a punk's worse nightmare of American establishment — and an overall industrial-looking vibe that gives the musical a more gritty atmosphere.
Rude, raw, sexy, brash and bold, Green Day's "American Idiot" is a welcome visitor to the Boston theater district. Its Tony Award-winning power is immediately perceptible, and it is a show that is almost impossible not to enjoy. But you must know what you are in for. Be forewarned; this is not your grandmother's musical.
IF YOU GO
What: Green Day's "American Idiot"
Where: Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston
When: Now through Sunday
How: For more information to buy tickets, visit http://www.boston-theater.com/theaters/boston-opera-house/theater.php
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