American Idiot at Chapel Off Chapel

Following the 2022 Victorian premiere of Freaky Friday, new musical theatre company Theatrical presents their production of the two time Tony Award winning musical, American Idiot.

The Chapel Off Chapel production features music by five-time Grammy Award winning rock band Green Day, with the book and lyrics written by lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong, alongside Tony Award winning director and co-writer Michael Mayer.

Playing for a strictly limited season from 9-26 March 2023, tickets are available via theatrical.com.au. 

Featuring songs from the Grammy Award winning multi-platinum album of the same name and its follow-up album release ‘21st Century Breakdown’, American Idiot tells the story of Johnny, Tunny and Will navigating a post-9/11 world and their journeys trying to break free from suburbia.

Music Theatre Guild Award nominated director Scott Bradley (Rock of Ages, Hairspray) explores the journey of the three young boys as they seek adventure and fulfilment beyond the constraints of their small-town lives through the music and lyrics of American Idiot.

“Theatrical are amazing to work with. It’s a joy to watch close friends and connections grow and foster, and it really reflects on stage and in the show we are doing,” says Scott.

The all-out rock opera features the entire tracklist of Green Day’s iconic album American Idiot, including the titular song ‘American Idiot’, ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’, ‘21 Guns’ and ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’, amongst other fan favourites.

Beyond American Idiot’s entertaining and nostalgic 2000s rock hits, the show explores themes of youth angst, broken relationships, love and loss.

Mat Dwyer (Shrek: the Musical, All Shook Up, Rock of Ages) is ready to rock his first leading role as Johnny, alongside recently returned Broadway Dance Centre & Steps student Ronald Mackinnon (The Polar Express) as Will, and WAAPA graduate John Mondelo (Spring Awakening, Miss Saigon) as Tunny.

“When I saw the energy and skill in the dances and heard everyone sing together, I knew I really wanted to be a part of that. I've loved working with everyone involved in American Idiot and I can already tell this will be a huge, energetic, fun show,” says Mat.

The lead cast is joined by more talented principal cast members named after memorable Green Day songs featured in the musical, including Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Award winner Will Huang (Heathers, Jersey Boys) as St. Jimmy, Romy McIlroy (If/Then, NBC’s LaBrea) as Whatsername and Tashiya Prins (Annie, Fame) as Extraordinary Girl. Harmony Thomas-Brown (Guys and Dolls) will step into the shoes of Heather, Will’s girlfriend, while experienced Theatrical actor Tom Martin (Freaky Friday) will return to the Chapel Off Chapel stage in the role of Favourite Son.

An ensemble cast of nine talented stage performers round out the stage telling of a story that traverses the hardships and hope of youth.

Theatrical is a not for profit and registered charity from Executive Producer Andrew Gyopar (Spring Awakening, The Boy From Oz, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Rock of Ages, Seussical, Little Women the musical, If/THEN, Freaky Friday), an independent musical theatre company with a mission to engage with all minorities, and provide opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups who might not otherwise have access to musical theatre.

The company launched with a dedicated Theatrical Community Shed (Victorian Men’s Shed Association member), welcoming people of all gender identities, ability and ages. The program seeks to offer enriching training opportunities for those that may have not yet have had the privilege of access to theatre skills training.

“Theatrical believes that community-made performing arts is a great way to bring people together. To share skills, socialise and to promote positive mental health,” says Andrew Gyopar.

Theatrical Community Shed is a place for non-performers to experience the joy of being part of a musical theatre production. Theatrical’s Community Engagement Manager Megan D’Souza says it allows people to use their skills, or learn new skills, to create part of the show and then get to see their work up on stage, meeting a whole lot of new people during the process.

“We have carpenters, fashion designers, interior designers, teachers and administrators who would never have considered themselves as theatre people before they got involved with Theatrical Community Shed. Not everyone can afford singing and dancing lessons and not everyone wants to be on stage in the spotlight. Theatrical Community Shed enables us to have a much more diverse community involved in creating musical theatre,” says Megan D’Souza.

Theatrical will run workshops this year for those who may not have had access to musical theatre, aimed at helping underrepresented groups of people build their skills and confidence in many disciplines of theatre production. 

theatrical.com.au | @theatricalinc

Photographer: Nicole Cleary

American Idiot Cast
Johnny: Mat Dwyer
Will: Ronald Mackinnon
Tunny: John Mondelo
St Jimmy: Will Huang
Whatsername: Romy McIlroy
Heather: Harmony Thomas-Brown
Extraordinary Girl: Tashiya Prins
Favourite Son: Tom Martin

Ensemble
Katie Andermahr, Lilly Bajada, Jerome Eccleston, Caitlyn Le, Sasha Lippman, Oliver Midson, Lo Vanguardia, Sami Le Vaunter, Imogene White

Production Team
Director: Scott Bradley
Musical Director: Tahra Cannon
Choreographer: Grace Collins
Assistant to the Director: Karen Shnider
Stage Manager: Katherine Faichney
Production Assistants: Burnie Dariol & Liz Park
Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar

Performances
Thursday 9 March, 7:30pm (Preview)
Friday 10 March, 7:30pm (Preview)
Saturday 11 March, 1:30pm (Preview)
Saturday 11 March, 7:30pm (Opening Night)
Tuesday 14 March, 7:30pm
Wednesday 15 March, 7:30pm
Thursday 16 March, 7:30pm
Friday 17 March, 7:30pm
Saturday 18 March, 1:30pm / 7:30pm
Tuesday 21 March, 7:30pm
Wednesday 22 March, 7:30pm
Thursday 23 March, 7:30pm
Friday 24 March, 7:30pm
Saturday 25 March, 1:30pm / 7:30pm
Sunday 26 March, 1:30pm