Deaf West ‘American Idiot’ Show Review

By Megan Clancy

I had the rare opportunity to see Green Day’s American Idiot in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum presented by Deaf West Theatre in collaboration with Center Theatre Group.  It was an eye-opener to see a new rock symphony performed by both hearing and Deaf actors which involved incorporating American Sign Language on stage.  

“American Idiot” is a pivotal album by Green Day, released in 2004. It’s often seen as a punk rock anthem reflecting the disillusionment of American society in the early 2000s,

 particularly in the context of political unrest and media influence. The title track, along with songs like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Holiday,” showcases the band’s signature sound and critique of contemporary issues. The album not only revitalized Green Day’s career but also resonated deeply with a generation, earning critical acclaim and commercial success.

The Music was by Green Day, Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong, Book by Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer, Choreography by Jennifer Weber, and ASL Choreography by Colin Analco.  This production was directed by Snehal Desai.   Amelia Hensley was an associate ASL Choreographer.  Deaf West Theatre’s artistic director is DJ Kurs.

DJ Kurs is a talented director and theater artist, known for his work in the theater community. He has directed various productions focusing on Deaf culture and storytelling, bringing unique perspectives to the stage. Kurs is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible theater, often collaborating with deaf actors and artists.  His work has been influential in promoting awareness and appreciation for deaf narratives in the arts.

Billie Joe Armstrong is the lead vocalist and guitarist of Green Day, known for his distinctive voice and energetic stage presence. Born on February 17, 1972, in Oakland, California, he co-founded Green Day in 1987. Armstrong is recognized not just for his musical talent but also for his outspoken views on social and political issues, particularly evident in albums like “American Idiot.”  He often explores themes of identity, rebellion, and disillusionment in his songwriting. Beyond Green Day, Armstrong has been involved in various side projects and has even ventured into musical theater, contributing to the Broadway adaptation of “American Idiot.” His influence on punk rock and pop punk is significant, and he remains a prominent figure in the music scene.

Michael Mayer is a prominent figure in the theater world, especially known for his work as a director. He directed the Broadway adaptation of Green Day’s “American Idiot,” which premiered in 2010. The musical received critical acclaim for its innovative staging and powerful performances, capturing the album’s spirit while bringing the story to life on stage.

Mayer has directed various productions across genres, winning awards for his work in both musicals and plays. His ability to blend music and narrative has made him a sought-after director in contemporary theater.

Jennifer Weber is a talented director and choreographer known for her work in musical theater. She gained attention for her innovative choreography and direction, often bringing a fresh perspective to the productions she works on. Weber has collaborated on various projects, including the Broadway and touring productions of “American Idiot,” where her choreography played a crucial role in conveying the energy and emotion of the story.

Snehal Desai is a director and theater artist known for his innovative work in musical theater and plays. He has directed various productions, bringing a unique vision to each project. Desai often focuses on themes of identity, culture, and community in his work. He has also been involved in educational theater, helping to mentor new talent in the field.

Before the show began, I made sure my cochlear implant batteries were not dying since I do love the sound of rock music and its strong beats.  The auditorium was occupied mostly by hearing patrons but a handful of Deaf patrons.  Once the lights went on stage, Daniel Durant (well-known for his supporting role in Oscar-winning CODA) appeared on stage in a full-throttle signing along the opening scene of American Idiot.  He played Johnny, a rebellious character in this show.  Durant is a familiar face in Deaf West’s productions and on-screen in many different projects.  He is an accomplished actor known for his work in film and theater. He gained significant recognition for his role in the Oscar-winning film “CODA,” where he played Leo Rossi, one of the key characters in a story about a hearing child in a deaf family. Durant is also known for his work on stage and in various productions that highlight the experiences of the deaf community.

There were also other Deaf performers in this production.

It was awesome to see guitar players, singers, and a band on stage alongside the Deaf performers delivering lyrics in ASL which I had never seen before.  I loved seeing the flashing lights, drums, ASL, plaid unbuttoned shirts, long hair, and punk alongside hearing the beats of the drums.  It was amazing to see other Deaf performers such as Otis Jones IV (Will), James Olivias (Tunny), Kaia T. Fitzgerald (Extraordinary Girl), and other Deaf performers also took part in the Ensemble.  This show took me to the 1970’s vibe with smoking, guitars, wars, rebellion, and drugs.   

As a Deaf-born person, I’m very clueless about the music world.  I remember attending the 2009 Grammy Awards and not knowing who Jennifer Lopez was, while my hearing twin sister did.  I only knew singers by their posters like the Jonas Brothers or Michael Jackson.  

On the other hand, this production did a great job using ASL as an art form alongside the 21 songs during the show which covered songs besides American Idiot: Jesus of Suburbia Medley, Holiday, etc.  I finally got to know the singers through the Deaf performers’ ASL translations on stage.  

Looking back to high school, I was one of the “Celestial” Signers on stage during the high school’s production of Ric n’ Rocco.  Yet, we, signers, simply stood at the edge of the stage signing the songs to ASL while in this show of American Idiot, the Deaf performers were part of the show, not simply translators.  I loved how they brought their characters to life while also translating the songs into ASL.  That is what I want to see in future productions.  

The most memorable song in this production was Homecoming Medley when all the cast signed the word HOME.  There was also a moment when there was no sound while everyone signed HOME  to Johnny, so the audience could see his perspective as a Deaf person.  Additionally, I was impressed by the multimedia that would show the name of the song being played on stage along with different clips of news and et cetera accompanying the songs.  Also, this show did a great job showing captions above the stage that showed the lyrics of the songs and verbatim from the performers on stage.  I also truly enjoyed the dancing components that incorporated ASL on stage.  Sometimes performers were alone, worked in pairs, or as an ensemble.  I loved how the singers would sing while the Deaf performers translated lyrics to ASL.  This showed a good example of how to elevate ASL as an art form.

I also admired how the Deaf performers were able to sign songs simultaneously as a group without the help of a teleprompter.  I realized that all the cast members must have worked hard together to give a good show.  From watching this show, I realized that it does take a lot of teamwork to weave in ASL in a musical where there is a combination of Deaf and hearing performers.  This requires a lot of creativity and talent from directors, producers, crew, and cast.  I truly applaud this production for being a big success.  

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#AccessibilityInTheatre #TheatreForAll #DeafTheatreRevolution #DeafTalent

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