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American Idiot is a flag-waving showcase for the pop-punk sounds of Green Day.

Gritty energy nestled in heartfelt emotion weaves through a touching coming-of-age story as three friends face an uncertain future.

Jared Nepute plays Johnny. “Instead of being, you know, being like a, a lamb led to the slaughter, Johnny decides that he’s going to revolt against this entire idea, and start thinking for himself. So yeah, the kind of plot of the show is that my character has this great idea to break the mould, to move to New York City and to, you know, once he’s there finally figure out, you know, what his purpose is, in this life.”

From working class suburban backgrounds, the trio represents a hedonistic, rudderless lifestyle in the post-9/11 Bush era.

Olivia Puckett’s character is called ‘Whatsername’. “It’s relatable for every generation. I remember my dad was, he was like, I was alive for the Bush administration and everything but he also was, he went through Vietnam, he went through all of that and he’s connected so passionately to what was going on on stage because the youth always has something to say.”

Framed by Green Day’s music, which seems more suited to MTV than musical theatre, American Idiot speaks about social and environmental
issues. The songs cross over into the mainstream, blasting the stage with footstomping ferocity.

American Idiot sends a message, in a language that universally entertains.

American Idiot is playing at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre through Sunday, March 16.