By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — Green Day’s legendary rock opera, “American Idiot,” will reopen the iconic Mark Taper Forum, after its yearlong closure due to financial constraints.
The Tony and Grammy-winning musical is the first offering of the Center Theatre Group’s “One CTG, One L.A.” season.
Center Theatre Group is joining Deaf West Theatre to launch its latest production which runs through Nov. 10.
“American Idiot” features music by Green Day; with lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong; and the book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer.
The title of Green Day’s 2004 multi-platinum album, “American Idiot” follows the journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world, and tells the story of Jesus of Suburbia as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Snehal Desai, the artistic director of the Center Theatre Group, will make his directorial debut with the Center Theatre Group with this production, working with Deaf West Artistic Director DJ Kurs.
“To kick off my first season, I am excited to make my CTG directorial debut at the Taper with a new take on Green Day’s ‘American Idiot,’” Desai said. “This explosive musical will take on a whole new meaning when we join forces with our friends at Deaf West Theatre, for the fourth time in our history (previously “Pippin,” “Sleeping Beauty Wakes” and “Big River”) to tell this punk rock and wholly American musical tale in both English and American Sign Language. Pair that with the timing of what is sure to be a memorable election year, and we have the makings of what I believe truly great theater should be all about: timely, resonant, inclusive and, we hope, nothing short of electrifying.”
“This production of ‘American Idiot’ challenges us to stretch the canvas of traditional theater, painting new possibilities by connecting the material to deaf characters and digital innovation,” Kurs said. “The expressive power of American Sign Language will bring a vibrant symphony of meaning and emotion to the songs of Green Day. With this reinvention of what ‘American Idiot’ can be, Deaf West Theatre and Center Theatre Group come together as two pillars of the L.A. cultural landscape.”
“American Idiot” features an ensemble of both deaf and hearing actors, performing simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English.
Otis Jones IV and James Olivas are two of the actors appearing in the show. Jones, who is deaf, and Olivas, who is not, will both play the character, Will, with Olivas voicing and singing the role.
Jones, a TikTok influencer, said one of the challenges of doing the show is “communication.”
“For me, it’s about bridging the communication gap,” said Jones, a content creator who began working at the Deaf West Theatre during the pandemic. “When you’re deaf, there is a lack of access. It can cause language deprivation. I do the signing. I consider this an honor. Throughout the show, Will is a deaf person who is going through drug use and isolation, and there is a baby on the way. It’s the idea of a journey.”
“Otis is the character of Will,” Olivas said. “We are adding a layer to the community of the deaf community. For me, that is why Otis (Jones), Landen Gonzales, Daniel Durant, Milo Manheim, Tyler Hardwick and myself are the voices. We are here to interpret the story for the hearing members of the story. I need to stay true to the story that Otis is telling every night.”
Both Jones and Olivas said there is a kind of dance that goes with an ensemble of both deaf and hearing actors performing simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English.
“There have been a lot of things in the prep process,” said Jones. “Luckily, we share personality-wise. It helps our bond and chemistry. It makes for a better showcase through the character of Will.”
“The challenge was that people could be out of sync,” Olivas said. “You don’t want to feel like it’s two people playing the character. You have to learn the dancing, singing and where to stand. We worked on our chemistry. We are friends now. We worked hard to develop the character together. The singing doesn’t have a direct translation of what is used. It’s like doing a show and having all of your senses.”
When it comes to the music, Jones admits he was never a Green Day fan, but has since come to appreciate the music.
“This experience has been really good,” Jones said. “It’s just a lot to take in at certain times. This project has been a breeze. I’ve never listened to punk rock or Green Day growing up. I’ve heard of them but didn’t grow up on Green Day. I like their music.”
“It’s very exciting to be reopening the Mark Taper,” Olivas said. “The way that we’re doing it is special. We’re creating art that matters. That is what this show is bringing. I was a die-hard fan of Green Day growing up. ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ was the first song. I listened to it and handwrote the lyrics, so I’d know how to sing it.”
Jones and Olivas said they can relate to the themes of the show.
“I feel this project,” Jones said. “When it comes to the themes, I relate to them personally. The themes of feeling isolated, especially being a deaf person.”
“The show comes from the story of a man who lives his life in suburbia and goes to the big city,” Olivas said. “The show breaks it into three characters and their experiences. There are a lot of common themes like people being sheep to the media and just doing what they are told, the military-industrial complex, the extreme drug crisis and feeling left behind by the country.”
Jones and Olivas encourage everyone to see the show.
“I would love the world to see the deaf community on stage,” Jones said. “We can work hand-and-hand with hearing actors. In a room such as the one we’re in now, we can see how people can make that change.”
“The concept is the reason we talk a lot about the term – ‘The American Idiot,’” Olivas said. “We talk about the deaf community being deaf and dumb like there is something wrong with them and lack the capacity to exist. We want to have that be proved completely wrong. There is a whole world out there filled with such talented performers who are fearless. If we do our job right, we will affect some change.”
While Olivas wants the public to see the show, he warns that it may not be appropriate for children.
“Don’t bring the young, young kids,” he said. “There are some very mature themes and other things like cussing, visible drug use, sex and slurs at times.”
The cast of “American Idiot” also includes Daniel Durant and Milo Manheim as Johnny and voice of Johnny. Landen Gonzales and Tyler Hardwick appear as Tunny and the voice of Tunny.
Mason Alexander Park portrays St. Jimmy, while Mars Storm Rucker is Whatsername, and Ali Fumiko Whitney plays Heather.
Jennifer Weber is the choreographer, and Colin Analco is the American Sign Language choreographer.
The show includes all 13-track from Green Day’s hit album “American Idiot” plus several songs from Green Day’s 2009 album, “21st Century Breakdown,” and a previously unreleased love song entitled, “When It’s Time.”
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
