Arts and Entertainment

Musical 'American Idiot' to perform at Penn State Feb. 28 and 29

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The smash-hit musical "American Idiot," based on Green Day’s Grammy-winning multiplatinum album, tells the story of three lifelong friends forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. The touring Broadway musical will make its Penn State debut with two performances at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 29, in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Section one and two tickets for the Center for the Performing Arts presentation are $59 and $53 for an adult, $44 and $38 for a University Park student and $54 and 48 for a person 18 and younger. Buy tickets online at www.cpa.psu.edu or by phone at 814-863-0255. Outside the local calling area, dial 800-ARTS-TIX. Tickets also are available at four State College locations: Eisenhower Auditorium (weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Penn State Downtown Theatre Center (weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), HUB-Robeson Center Information Desk (weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Bryce Jordan Center (weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). A grant from the University Park Allocation Committee makes Penn State student prices possible.

Featuring the hit songs “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track, "American Idiot" takes the American musical where it’s never gone before. With direction by Michael Mayer ("Spring Awakening"), choreography by Steven Hoggett ("Black Watch") and orchestrations and arrangements by Tom Kitt ("Next to Normal"), the result is an experience Charles Isherwood of The New York Times declared "thrilling, emotionally charged and as moving as any Broadway musical I’ve seen this year!"

Go to www.cpa.psu.edu/events/idiot.html for more information, a video and a link to the show’s website. American Idiot includes mature themes and language.

ABC 23, FOX 8 and MAJIC 99 are the media sponsors. Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring a visiting artist or local expert, is offered in Eisenhower one hour before each performance and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints seating is available on a first-arrival basis.

The touring Broadway edition of the musical 'American Idiot' will make its Penn State debut at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and 29, in Eisenhower Auditorium. Click on the image above for more information. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated February 21, 2012