"When Michael Riha first approached me about directing 'American Idiot' as a visiting guest artist for the [University of Arkansas] department of theatre, I jumped at the chance," says Gary John La Rosa.
La Rosa has helmed more than 200 productions nationally, including the world premiere of Michael Ching's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for Opera Memphis, the 10th anniversary national tour of "Footloose" and, on Broadway, he conceived and directed "Raising the Roof," the historic, star-studded gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of "Fiddler on the Roof."
FAQ
‘American Idiot’
WHEN — 7:30 p.m. today & Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, again April 20-24
WHERE — University Theatre on the UA campus in Fayetteville
COST — $5-$20
INFO — 575-6067
"American Idiot," featuring the music of Green Day, wasn't high on La Rosa's list -- until he saw it on Broadway in 2010.
"The impassioned youthful lives that populate the musical spoke to me," he says. "Who knew the music of a punk rock band formed in 1986 could excite me in this way?"
The show, with music direction by the department's newest faculty member, Jason Burrow, choreography by dance faculty Gail Leftwich and a cast of 19 graduate and undergraduate students, opens tonight at University Theatre. La Rosa answered these questions for What's Up!
Q. What was your interest in directing "American Idiot"?
A. The piece is really unique and mysteriously powerful. It has a lot to say about the youth of America in a technological age. It rocks and pushes buttons and doesn't apologize for it. It is a musical with relentless energy that takes audiences on visual and aural journeys. I was surprised at the depth of the libretto and found that there is a lot more there than meets the eye. For me, that is very exciting to work on and challenging at the same time. I wanted to dig deep into its heart while putting my own stamp on it. The cast "gets it" -- and finds it so relevant! I love the fact that this piece can appeal to people on so many different levels and, while this score is not typical Broadway fare, I think it makes for an amazing piece of theater!
Q. How do you feel about contemporary musicals like this and "Mamma Mia" and how they fit in with classic musicals and new musicals like "Hamilton"?
A. Truthfully, I don't think they fit at all -- or need to! Theater is a place for audiences to both be entertained but also to promote discussion and make people think and feel! Every era has had plays and musicals that weren't typical. For example, "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" in 1968 was considered scandalous and a death knell for Broadway's Golden Age. The truth is, it had something unique and important to say and paved the way for shows like "Rent," "Spring Awakening" and "American Idiot"! While musical tastes have changed and evolved, more traditional shows like "Fiddler on the Roof and "The King and I" are as popular as ever (and both have revivals running on Broadway currently). I love them all for different reasons. It is vital that theater continues to evolve and grow or it will become stagnant, redundant and irrelevant.
Q. Do audiences need to understand the plot? Or is it just about the music?
A. The plot in "American Idiot" is simple and less present than in many traditional musicals. It is true that here, to some degree, "the message is in the medium." That said, I think it is a powerful story, and the journey the trio of friends embark on is both fascinating and poignant. I have tried to make the story and plot as accessible as possible but not at the expense of the overall musical experience. Some folks will focus more on the story and some more on the music, and some will just take in the whole thing. That's OK. Different people have different tastes and absorb different elements, but I think everyone will find that "American Idiot" is memorable, exciting and unique and that the cast pours its heart and soul into every minute of it.
-- Becca Martin-Brown
NAN What's Up on 04/15/2016