AMERICAN IDIOT to Rock Kelsey Theatre

A story of youthful disillusion will be told in the rousing renegade musical "American Idiot," coming to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre. Adapted from Green Day's 2004 concept album, the Pennington Players get ready to turn up the volume Fridays, Oct. 5 and 12 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 6 and 13 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Oct. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.

Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Oct. 5.

Bringing Green Day's chart-topping alternative rock album vibrantly to life, this bold rock opera is set in "Suburbia, USA." It follows a young anti-hero, Johnny, the self-proclaimed "Jesus of Suburbia," and his two buddies, Will and Tunny, as they attempt to break out of their post-9/11 mind-numbing, aimless suburban existence. The book is by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, with music by Green Day and lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong. (Parental advisory: This show is rated R.)

The cast stars Steven Brandt of Toms River as Johnny; Brian Johnston of East Windsor as Tunny; Evan Krug of Bloomfield as Will; Tia Brown of Lawrence Twp. as St. Jimmy; Roberta Curless of Lawrenceville as Heather; Erica Boyea of South Plainfield as Whatsername; Lorraine C. Perri of Florence as Extraordinary Girl; and Connor Twigg of Maple Shade as Favorite Son.

Featured in the ensemble are Cait Crowley of Bloomfield, Danielle Steward of Ewing, Emily O'Sullivan of Hamilton, Jenna Zielinski of Scotch Plains, Rob Veith of Philadelphia, Pa., Sean Costello of Quakertown, Pa., Shawn Simmons of Hamilton, Chris Abbott of South Plainfield, Raven Dunbar of South Brunswick, and Zoey Woody of North Brunswick.

The production team includes Producer/Stage Manager Vicki Kaiser, Director Kyrus Keenan Westcott, Choreographer Rachel Tovar, Music Director Ashley DeAntonio, Lighting Designer Chris Ghaffoor, Sound Designer Evan Paine and Curtis Sullivan, and Set Designer Haley Schmalbach.

Tickets are $20 for all and may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater.

Photo by KyrusKeenan Photography.

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