AFI's Davey Havok, Van Hughes, Justin Guarini & More Joining AMERICAN IDIOT in March; Gallagher Departs

The producers of AMERICAN IDIOT announced today that Davey Havok (lead vocalist of the American rock band AFI) is set to join the cast for a limited two week engagement as "St. Jimmy" on March 1, 2011. In addition, Justin Guarini (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) will play the role of "Will," and current and original Broadway cast members Van Hughes and Libby Winters will take over the roles of "Johnny" and "The Extraordinary Girl," respectively on March 1, 2011 at The St. James Theatre, 246 W 44th Street.

"I couldn't be more excited that Davey is joining the American Idiot cast to play St. Jimmy. Not only is he a good friend of mine, but I feel that he also brings the perfect energy and air of menace to the part," says composer/co-author and lead singer of Green Day Billie Joe Armstrong. "The audience is going to freak out."

"Justin blew us away in his audition and I am thrilled to have him join the company of American Idiot," says director and co-book writer Michael Mayer. "And, of course, I'm proud and excited to have Van and Libby, original Broadway cast members who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into the show over the past year, move into these lead roles."

Original Broadway cast members John Gallagher Jr. (Johnny), Michael Esper (Will), Christina Sajous (The Extraordinary Girl) and, after a triumphant 50 performance engagement Green Day frontman and the musical's composer and co-author, Billie Joe Armstrong (St. Jimmy) will play their final performances February 27, 2011 (Gallagher, Esper and Armstrong) and February 26, 2011 (Sajous).

Based on Green Day's groundbreaking rock opera American Idiot, Billie Joe Armstrong and the band collaborate with one of the theatre's most acclaimed creative teams, led by the Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer, Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award-winning composer and orchestrator Tom Kitt, and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Steven Hoggett, to bring this explosive, iconic album to the stage.

AMERICAN IDIOT currently stars Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening), Tony Award Nominee Stark Sands (Journey's End), Michael Esper (A Man For All Seasons), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Passing Strange), Christina Sajous (The Wild Party), and Jeanna de Waal (We Will Rock You - West End). The cast also features Declan Bennett, Jennifer Bowles, Andrew Call, Gerard Canonico, Miguel Cervantes, Van Hughes, Brian CharLes Johnson, Jason Kappus, Lorin Latarro, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Leslie McDonel, Chase Peacock, Wallace Smith, Ben Thompson, Alysha Umphress, Aspen Vincent, Mikey Winslow and Libby Winters.

The show features Tony Award winning scenic design by Christine Jones (Spring Awakening), costume design by Baryshnikov fellow Andrea Lauer (The Butcher of Baraboo), Tony Award winning lighting design by Kevin Adams (Hair), Sound design by Olivier and Obie Award-winner Brian Ronan (Cabaret), as well as video design by Darrel Maloney. The Music Director is Carmel Dean and Lorin Latarro is the Associate Choreographer.

Tickets range from $127.00 - $49.00 and can be purchased at The St. James Box Office or via telecharge.com (212-239-6200). The performance schedule for AMERICAN IDIOT is Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday 8pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 3pm and 7:30pm. www.AmericanIdiotonBroadway.com

DAVEY HAVOK (St. Jimmy). Havok is the lead vocalist of the American rock band AFI as well as the electronic duo Blaqk Audio. AFI recently toured with Green Day on their Summer 2010 U.S. Tour. AFI has released eight studio albums in the past 19 years as a band, including the recent Crash Love, the platinum LP's Sing The Sorrow, and Decemberunderground, which featured the hit single "Miss Murder". Both the album and song achieved #1 in their respective charts, the Billboard 200 and Hot Modern Rock Tracks.

Justin Guarini (Will). Broadway: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (LCT). Theater: Once on This Island (Daniel), The Little Prince (Prince). Solo ablums: Justin Guarini RCA Records, Stranger Things Have Happened. Film: Fast Girl (Darryl), From Justin to Kelly (Justin). TV: "American Idol" season 1 runner-up (Fox), "Run of the House" (Fox), "Film Fakers" (AMC), "Gone Country" (CMT season 3), TV Guide Network, host/correspondent; "Live With Regis & Kelly" (guest host, ABC). Other: Disney World's The American Idol Experience, virtual host. Justin is currently involved with the ETM-LA (Education Through Music LA) which funds music programs in disadvantaged schools.Van Hughes (Johnny). Broadway: 9 to 5, Hairspray. Off-Broadway: Saved (Playwrights Horizons). TV: Law & Order: SVU & CI, As The World Turns, Six Degrees. Film: Sex and the City 1 & 2, Rachel Getting Married, Tenure, Inside Man. Van's voice can be heard on many Nick Jr. TV promos and numerous radio commercials nationwide. He also writes and records original music.

Libby Winters (The Extraordinary Girl). Broadway debut. Regional: Ensemble, u/s Heather and Extraordinary Girl in American Idiot, Berkeley Rep.; Sophie in Mamma Mia Las Vegas; New York: Neely in R-E-S-P-E-C-T at New York Stage and Film; Eva in White Noise as part of the NYMF; Percy in The Spitfire Grill (Gallery Players); Television: Phoebe McManus in "Champs" (ABC sitcom, DreamWorks Productions). Libby also sings and plays guitar with the band The Fabulous Entourage (www.fabulousentourage.com) which has played The Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, Joe's Pub, Ars Nova, The Knitting Factory, and The Viper Room (LA).