Acting Against Cancer, a nonprofit theatre company that performs theatrical productions to raise money for pediatric cancer research and treatment, will be performing the regional premiere of the cutting-edge new Broadway musical Green Day’s “American Idiot” Jan. 29 – Feb. 7 in The Henry Clay Theatre at 604 S. Third St.
Proceeds from the show will benefit Acting Against Cancer and its commitment to the art therapy program of The Addison Jo Blair Cancer Care Center at Kosair Children’s Hospital.
Set against the backdrop of post-9/11 America, three best friends are forced to confront the realities of adulthood and the disillusion of escapism. Johnny, the “Jesus of Suburbia,” leaves his hometown to explore the big city but falls victim to drugs and anger. Tunny also leaves home but doesn’t find the fulfillment he seeks and chooses to join the army. Meanwhile, Will stays behind to be with his pregnant girlfriend but instead becomes more and more sedentary and apathetic about the world around him. Told through the rock songs of Green Day and the narratives of these three young men, this musical challenges the audience with the truths of society and the struggles that ultimately stem from within.
Photo provided by Acting Against Cancer, Lauren McCombs and Remy Sisk
There will be seven shows over the run period. Specific dates and times can be found at actingagaisntcancer.com. Tickets are $19 in advance and $22 at the door except for the Monday industry night, Feb. 1, when they are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online in advance at showclix.com/event/LouisvilleIdiot or at actingagainstcancer.com.
The show runs one hour and fifteen minutes with no intermission. “American Idiot” contains mature content and is not suitable for those under 16.
SHOWTIMES
Photo posted to event Facebook page, company and ensemble.
COMPANY
Johnny: Remy Sisk
Tunny: Connor Breen
Will: Charlie Meredith
Whatsername: Lauren McCombs
Extroardinary Girl: Tymika Prince
Heather: Brandis DeWilligen
St. Jimmy: Jordan Price
Ensemble:
Anna Ashburn, Vanessa Card, Jared Giles, Alfired Dale Jones Jr., Molly Kays, Katie Kiefer, Isaac Kueber, Jordan Lyons, Sydney Magers, Hannah Mattingly, Celeste Quire, Abigail Romine, and Sara Troxel.
Director: Whitten Montgomery
Music Director: Gayle King
Choreographer: Alfred Dale Jones Jr.
Production Stage Manager: Jaclyn Lyons
In July 2014, Acting Against Cancer signed a $100,000 pledge to the art therapy program within the Addison Jo Blair Cancer Care Center at Kosair Children’s Hospital; accordingly, 100 percent of the profits from “American Idiot” and Acting Against Cancer’s entire 2015-2016 season – including October 2015’s sold-out 10-show run of “The Addams Family” – will go toward fulfilling that pledge. Since its inception in 1999, Acting Against Cancer has raised over $350,000 to support the treatment and research of pediatric cancer.
The organization has performed in several different venues around Louisville with past shows including the regional premiere of “Spring Awakening,” “The Addams Family,” “RENT,” “The Rocky Horror Show,” an immersive adaptation of “The Real Inspector Hound” and “Next to Normal.”
“American Idiot” is the second show of Acting Against Cancer’s 2015-16 season and will be followed by an immersive adaptation of Henry James’s “The Turn of the Screw” in April 2016.