shake & stir’s American Idiot set for 2018 national tour

Phoebe Panaretos (centre) as Whatsername. Photo Dylan Evans

Following critical and audience acclaim at its Australian premiere in Brisbane earlier this year, this multi-Helpmann Award nominated Australian production of Green Day’s American Idiot musical will perform a national tour in 2018.

The tour begins at the Sydney Opera House from 11 January, Adelaide Festival Centre’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 19 January, Crown Theatre Perth from 2 February, Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 23 February and returns to Queensland Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane from 13 April.

shake & stir theatre co’s Executive Producer, Nick Skubij is thrilled the show is taking to the road: “Green Day’s blisteringly hot, and surprisingly moving punk rock score aside, there are so many reasons why audiences, some first time theatre-goers, are going to love American Idiot. It is utterly contemporary, disarmingly relevant and features some of the country’s most loved rock and roll and music theatre performers.”

Returning to the role of St. Jimmy is Grinspoon’s front man, Phil Jamieson. As the voice and face of Grinspoon, Jamieson fronted one of the most popular Australian bands of the last two decades.

Phil Jamieson said: “Absolutely stoked to the eyeballs to be reprising the role of St Jimmy for American Idiot in 2018… So many great tunes, such a great time… I can’t wait to bring it to y’all around the country! It will no doubt be the best time of life…”

Internationally, the role of St Jimmy has been played by rock personalities including: Billie Joe Armstrong, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cheney and Phil Jamieson.

Phoebe Panaretos will reprise her unanimously-praised performance as Whatsername which earned her a 2017 Helpmann Award nominee for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Winner of two Tony Awards and the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, American Idiot features every song from Green Day’s album American Idiot as well as several songs from their follow up release, 21st Century Breakdown.

Developed by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong (lyrics) and Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Book and lyrics), American Idiot tells the story of three lifelong friends who are grappling with the decision to either challenge the status quo and break out of their aimless rut or to remain in the safe confines of their urban existence. Their quest for true meaning in a world full of violence and dissolution leads them on a journey of self-discovery, heartache, and revelation.

Sydney bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com or 02 9250 7777; Adelaide bass.net.au or 131 246; Perth ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100; Melbourne www.ticketmaster.com.au or Ph: 136 100; Brisbane qpac.com.au or 136 246

All tickets on sale Monday 9 October.