Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, launched a new season of his multi-evening conversation series, "Broadway Talks," at the 92nd Street Y with Grammy Award-winning vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day and Tony Award-winning Director Michael Mayer. Among other topics, Roth, Armstrong and Mayer discussed the current Broadway production of American Idiot, the new musical based on the landmark Green Day recording.
A presentation of 92nd Street Y, Jordan Roth's "Broadway Talks" series features illuminating one- on-one discussions between Mr. Roth and current Broadway stars. Previous conversations have featured Liev Schreiber (Tony Award nominee, A View from the Bridge), Laura Linney (Tony Award nominee, Time Stands Still), Sean Hayes (Tony Award nominee, Promises, Promises) and Nathan Lane (The Addams Family).
The current "Broadway Talks" schedule is as follows:
David Hyde Pierce: Sunday, October 24th, 7:30 pm, Lexington Ave. @ 92nd Street
Elaine Stritch: Monday, December 6th, 8:00 pm, Lexington Ave. @ 92nd Street
An audience Q&A followed the conversation. Questions for Armstrong and Mayer were submitted prior to the event to Roth via twitter at twitter.com/jordan_roth.
Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool - were kids from working-class backgrounds who came of age in the underground punk scene in Berkeley. Even though they had previously released two records (1039/Smooth Out Slappy Hours and Kerplunk), they announced their arrival with 1994's Dookie, a dynamic blast of exuberant punk-pop that spoke to bored teenagers everywhere. The album eventually sold 15 million copies, earned the band its first Grammy Award and inspired a raft of imitators. Over the years, Green Day continued to top the charts with their subsequent studio albums Insomniac, Nimrod and Warning, while entertaining millions of fans with their frenetic live shows. But it was their landmark 2004 album American Idiot that launched Green Day into the stratosphere. "Jesus of Suburbia" set the tone by telling a tale of the choice between self destruction and redemption that resonated with listeners of all ages, nationalities and political persuasions. American Idiot debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, spawned five hit singles, earned seven Grammy® nominations (winning two, including Best Rock Album) and raised the bar for modern rock and roll. Last year, Green Day released its new album 21st Century Breakdown, which was nominated for three 2010 Grammy Awards and won Best Rock Album. It also spawned two hit singles: the gold "Know Your Enemy," which was the first song ever to top Billboard's Rock, Alternative and Mainstream Rock charts simultaneously; and the platinum "21 Guns," which earned them three 2009 MTV Video Music Awards including Best Rock Video. Green Day also took home an American Music Award for Favorite Alternative Rock Music Artist. For more about the band, visit www.greenday.com.
Michael Mayer is represented on Broadway this season with American Idiot and the recent Everyday Rapture. He received the 2007 Tony Award, as well as Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for his production of Spring Awakening, which also played in London, Vienna, Tokyo, and Seoul. His other Broadway credits include Side Man (Tony Award/Best Play); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony Award/Best Musical); A View From the Bridge (Tony Award/Best Revival); Uncle Vanya; 'night Mother; After the Fall; You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; and Triumph of Love. In addition to Spring Awakening at the Atlantic Theater Company, his Off-Broadway credits include Everyday Rapture, Our House, 10 Million Miles, Antigone in New York, Baby Anger, The Credeaux Canvas, and Stupid Kids. Michael also directed the national tours of Spring Awakening, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Angels In America, winner of Jefferson and Carbonell Awards. Regional work includes plays at Berkeley Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, Center Stage, and Yale Rep. Michael directed the films A Home at the End of the World and Flicka.
About 92nd Street Y: Founded in 1874 by a group of visionary Jewish leaders, 92nd Street Y's mission is to enrich lives, create community and elevate humanity. The organization serves about 300,000 people of all ages, races, faiths and backgrounds annually through its local programs, and reaches many more through its satellite, television, radio and Internet broadcasts. 92nd Street Y awards nearly $1 million in scholarships annually and reaches out to thousands of public school children through subsidized arts and science education programs. 92Y's new downtown venue, 92YTribeca, opened in October 2008, and features a wide range of programming including music, film, comedy and talks. For more information, please visit www.92Y.org.
Jordan Roth is the President of Jujamcyn Theaters, whose current Broadway productions include American Idiot, Fela!, Jersey Boys, A Little Night Music and the upcoming The Book of Mormon, Elf, and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.
For more information, visit www.92Y.org/lectures.
