FLASH FRIDAY: Musical Theatre Rocks! AMERICAN IDIOT Tour Cast Sings Coldplay, Maroon 5, Madonna & More

Today we are celebrating an impressive and spectacular array of up-and-coming talent as seen in the current cast of the national touring production of Green Day's rock opus AMERICAN IDIOT - taking on a series of hits ranging from chart-toppers by Maroon 5 and Mumford & Sons to Madonna, Jason Mraz, Nicki Minaj... and even a few non-m-themed major music names, too!

Jesus Of Suburbia

The worlds of rock and theatre have always been unlikely bedfellows, yet the unmistakable allure and power of some of the finest combinations of the seemingly divergent presentational forms has yielded such enduring classics as HAIR, THE WHO'S TOMMY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, RENT, SPRING AWAKENING and NEXT TO NORMAL - to name but a few. So, what happens when the hugely talented young cast of the national tour of Green Day-penned Broadway rock musical AMERICAN IDIOT shows off their penchant for contemporary music? Why, a spectacular rock showcase like the one we are focusing on today results! If we're lucky. Indeed, earlier this month the cast performed a special concert showcasing some of their favorite radio hits and an extensive collection of entertaining clips from the highly entertaining performance is now available to view.

Among the many current and classic pop, rock and rap tunes covered in the rock cabaret by the wildly talented AMERICAN IDIOT cast: Maroon 5's "Misery", Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass", Jason Mraz's "Sleeping To Dream", plus "Call Your Girlfriend" by Robyn, "Like A Prayer" by Madonna and many more.

Additionally, participating cast members include Olivia Puckett, Sean Garner, Chelsea Turbin, Josephine Spada, Johnny Newcomb, Eric Presnall, Francesca Granell, Antwan Holley, Allison Marooney and Dan Tracy, to name a few.

Indeed, this incredibly talented group has gone a long way to prove that the worlds of popular music and theatre music have never been more easily aligned than they are today - with the showstopping performance pieces here readily available to see, hear and feel to prove it!

For more information on the national tour of AMERICAN IDIOT, visit the official site here.

See the entire selection of videos, available here.

Time Of Your Life

Now, view some of the highlights of the many new videos of the national tour cast of AMERICAN IDIOT performing contemporary classics below.

First up, Chelsea Turbin sets her sights on Jason Mraz's lilting "Sleeping To Dream".

Josephine Spada tackles the Mumford & Sons rocker "Little Lion Man".

Johnny Newcomb and Eric Presnall nail Nicki Minaj's recent hit "Super Bass".

Olivia Puckett takes on "Misery" by Maroon 5.

Francesca Granell offers her take on Coldplay's "Fix You".

Antwan Holley covers Robyn's addictive "Call Your Girlfriend".

Johnny Newcomb sings Madonna's "Like A Prayer".

Liam Fennecken and Dan Tracy cover the Heart classic "Alone".

Taylor Jones insinuatingly serenades us with John Legend's "Ordinary People".

Maria MacFarlane commits to Matchbox Twenty's "If You're Gone".

So, what is your absolute favorite melding of theatre and pop? Furthermore, what is your idea of an ideal contemporary musical theatre score with an eye on the charts? Whatever your preference, it is clear to see and hear in these clips that in the 21st century (breakdown or not, to cite Green Day) the worlds of musical theatre and popular music are inextricably - and wondrously - linked.