Displaying items by tag: Steven Perkins
Energetic and Powerful - The Hypocrites "American Idiot"
When I think of Green Day’s American Idiot, the thought of the majority of our population blindly falling in line with the agenda of media conglomerates comes to mind. It's true. America’s youth (and not so youthful) is influenced by suggestive ad campaigns, TV and film brainwashing and so forth – thus, potentially becoming the “American Idiot”. Of course if you look even deeper (and it’s hardly a secret at this point) you’ll see that media is greatly controlled by corporations, which in turn largely influences the government and vice versa, so in fact Green Day’s album American Idiot suggests the average American is literally a sculpted product of the corporate world while choices and freedoms are merely an illusion to those who do not know better.
Though I expected the production of “American Idiot” to even enhance the album’s overall theme a little more directly, it still made its point well. “American Idiot”, currently playing at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park, is the story of three youths that go in the wrong direction after unconscious exposure to selective, and purposely directed, life-long media blitzing – which is entertaining in itself, but as the show progresses it becomes more about rectifying wrongs, if possible. In short, three fed up friends take separate paths, all of which seem exciting at times, only to reunite as learned individuals at the end after their paths are simultaneously met with a longing for better lives on their own terms. It is also the story of succumbing to temptation, wrong choices, consequences and perseverance.
Luke Linsteadt stars as “Johnny”, whom the story revolves around, and while exuding a tremendous amount of energy, he also lets loose a singing voice that works very well for the role. Linsteadt’s character is complex as it can be fun. “Johnny’s” friends “Will” and “Tunny” are played by Steven Perkins and Jay W. Cullen, both roles requiring their share of lead vocals. Perkins and Cullen both have their shining moments as does Krystal Worrell who is well cast as “Whatshername”, Johnny’s girlfriend who joins him in his journey of sex and drugs until they part after realizing their relationship is mutually damaging. The ensemble is fun and lively to the point we undoubtedly know each one of them are really enjoying their roles.
An urban-like, graffiti-stained stage is background for the story, creating a simple, but sensible set. Intense dance numbers and rocking music pave the road for this quick-moving, never-boring production. Another refreshing facet of this production is seeing it removed from its usually big budget, large venue, Broadway-esque state - to which it becomes almost commercialized. Rather, The Hypocrites presentation of “American Idiot” at The Den Theatre is a much more intimate experience with a much more organic feel and genuineness that cannot be always be found in massive productions. Outside of a few vocal and instrument sound levels that could use a bit of adjusting, this is a show that really comes alive and reaches its audience in the way that it was probably originally envisioned.
What made the show even more enjoyable was the band playing in full view and the arsenal of Green Day songs played in their musical-ized versions. Different than most bands, musicians are interchangeable depending on the song and scene - a very entertaining aspect of this version as in “Who’s going to play drums on the next song?” Green Day songs in the show included, “Know Your Enemy”, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, “Jesus of Suburbia”, “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, “When It’s Time” and “American Idiot”. Musically, the show was a gratifying journey in itself. Kudos all around to a great production team and cast.
“American Idiot” is a 2010 Tony Award nominated Best Musical and 2010 Grammy Winner for Best Musical Show Album. This is a show that certainly has its share of energy, music and youth. Playing through October 25th at The Den Theatre, this is a show most should appreciate, Green Day fan or not. For tickets and/or more show information, visit www.the-hypocrites.com.
Asgard Amplified: Loki’s Rock Revolution at Lifeline
04 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewGet ready for a cosmic comedy of gods, monsters, and mayhem that refuses to play by the old rules. That’s…
Rom‑Com Spark and ’80s Verve Light Up Metropolis’ Wedding Singer
03 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe Wedding Singer is currently onstage at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, offering a faithful and upbeat interpretation…
E. Faye Butler directs stellar Chicago cast in comedy Nunsense this summer at Drury Lane
01 May 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDrury Lane Theatre continues its 2026/2027 season with the divine extravaganza Nunsense, featuring book, music and lyrics by David Goggin, directed by E. Faye…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces North American Premiere production of Brokeback Mountain
01 May 2026 in Theatre in ReviewChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Brokeback Mountain, the North American premiere production of Ashley Robinson's adaptation of the…
THE NOTEBOOK WILL PLAY BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE AUGUST 4 - 16
30 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreProducers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce that single tickets for THE NOTEBOOK,…
YI Love Jewish and Arts Judaica Announce Chicago Premiere of A PEOPLE at Theater Wit June 18 – July 5
30 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe South Florida based YI Love Jewish and Chicago-based Arts Judaica proudly join forces to present a limited engagement of the Chicago…
BTE marks 40 years with new season: 'Little Women," "Dial M for Murder" and “One Man, Two Guvnors”
30 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBuffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE), the professional Equity theater company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), announced it will…
Eclectic Full Contact Theatre's The Red Lion - Bramble Arts Loft - Through May 16th
29 April 2026 in Now PlayingEclectic Full Contact Theatre is proud to announce the cast and crew for their final show of season 14, THE…
Free Metra rides for all Broadway In Chicago Shows all summer
29 April 2026 in Theatre BuzzBroadway In Chicago and Metra are pleased to announce a new promotion featuring nine shows coming to Chicago this summer: CHICAGO THE MUSICAL, LES MISÉRABLES, SPAMALOT, KINKY…
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater 50th Anniversary Celebration
29 April 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe world‑renowned Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, brings the passionate, expressive rhythms of Spain…
Alone Together: Three Guys Fishing for Love in Stellar 'Eelpout!'
28 April 2026 in Theatre in ReviewShattered Globe’s world premiere of the delightful comedy “Eelpout!” delivers its punches with deceivingly understated skillfulness. Written by Paul W.…
Steppenwolf Theatre Announces LookOut Series' 10th Anniversary Season
28 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf's LookOut Series is proud to unveil its lineup for Summer 2026, marking ten years of steadfast dedication to Chicago performing artists…
Marriott Theatre to present LET'S HANG ON: A ROCK 'N SOUL PARTY June 1 and 2
28 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFour favorite singers of past Marriott Theatre concerts will unite on Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2 for LET'S…
Review: The Movement You Need: An Evening with Brendan Hunt at Steppenwolf Theatre
28 April 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA show somewhere between a play, standup act, memoir, and PowerPoint presentation. A show so chaotic you think it could…
GEE'S BEND, playing May 23 – June 7 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center
27 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFleetwood-Jourdain Theatre today announced full casting and production team for its season-opening production of GEE'S BEND, the 2008 play by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, to…
BrightSide Theatre presents THE PRODUCERS, June 12 – 28, 2026
27 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreConcluding BrightSide's 14th season will be THE PRODUCERS, the longest running Broadway musical comedy ever and the winner of 12 Tony…
Joffrey Ballet presents Chicago Premiere of Yuri Possokhov's EUGENE ONEGIN, June 4th-14th
27 April 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Joffrey Ballet concludes its 2025-26 season with the highly anticipated Chicago Premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s Eugene Onegin, a richly layered and deeply human…
A Final Bow: Chicago Theatre Mourns Matt DeCaro
25 April 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Chicago theater community is grappling with the sudden loss of Matt DeCaro, whose death early Saturday came as a…
Fault Shakes Up Chicago Shakespeare Theater with Fierce, Funny Chaos
25 April 2026 in Theatre in ReviewDark comedies built around relationship dynamics have always drawn me in because they reveal conflict with a kind of honesty…
At Writers Theatre, a Tech “Job” Too Toxic Shatters an Employee
24 April 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA psychotherapist is held hostage by a gun-toting patient demanding he certify her as stable enough to return to work.…
Curious Theatre Branch Announces Beau O'Reilly's TALKING ABOUT GODARD, May 29 - June 28
24 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCurious Theatre Branch, launches its 38th Season, with the revival of Talking About Godard, written by Beau O’Reilly and directed by Beau O’Reilly with Briavael O’Reilly, May…
Announcing the 2026 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards Nominees and Show Sponsor
24 April 2026 in Theatre BuzzBroadway In Chicago is delighted to announce the 24 student nominees for Best Performer in an Actor and Actress role,…
Midsommer Flight to stage Shakespeare’s comedy AS YOU LIKE IT free in six Chicago parks June 27 – August 2
24 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFor its 13th free summer production, Midsommer Flight will present one of Shakespeare's most highly regarded and popular comedies. AS YOU…
Physical Theater Festival Chicago Announces Chicago Talent in this Year's Festival, June 1 - 7
23 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePhysical Theater Festival Chicago, the city’s annual celebration of contemporary, movement-based performance, announces a bold lineup spotlighting local creativity. Each…
Intuit’s New Exhibits Spark Verve Through Art
23 April 2026 in BCS SpotlightGatecrashers. That’s the term newspapers nearly 100 years ago called the works of self-taught artists when they began “crashing the…
safronia soars at Lyric Opera
22 April 2026 in Theatre in Reviewsafronia at Lyric Opera of Chicago emerges as a deeply personal story of the Great Migration - one that resists…
At Steppenwolf, Windfall Doesn’t Cash In on Its Promise
21 April 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSteppenwolf Theatre Company’s, Windfall arrives with all the promise its pedigree suggests. Written by Academy Award–winning ensemble member Tarell Alvin…
Redtwist’s Sobering ‘night Mother Asks Us to Look for the Unseen
21 April 2026 in Theatre in ReviewMother-daughter relationships are somehow deemed different. More seminal than the bond between a father and son. More instinctive than between…
AstonRep Productions to stage US Premiere of Liisa Repo-Martell's new adaptation of Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA, June 18 – July 5 at the Edge Off-Broadway Theatre
21 April 2026 in Upcoming TheatreAstonRep Productions, the theatre and film production company that has produced over 30 stage productions in Chicago, has announced it…
Latest Articles
-
Asgard Amplified: Loki’s Rock Revolution at Lifeline
Written by Ken PayneGet ready for a cosmic comedy of gods, monsters, and mayhem that refuses to play by the old rules. That’s right - the universe is ending, and apparently it booked a headliner. In Lifeline’s world premiere Loki: The End of… -
Rom‑Com Spark and ’80s Verve Light Up Metropolis’ Wedding Singer
Written by Ken PayneThe Wedding Singer is currently onstage at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, offering a faithful and upbeat interpretation of the Adam Sandler–Drew Barrymore film. The production leans into the story’s rom‑com roots while making effective use of the…
-
E. Faye Butler directs stellar Chicago cast in comedy Nunsense this summer at Drury Lane
Written by Buzz Center StageDrury Lane Theatre continues its 2026/2027 season with the divine extravaganza Nunsense, featuring book, music and lyrics by David Goggin, directed by E. Faye Butler. Enjoy some holy hilarity with the Little Sisters of Hoboken in Nunsense, running June 10 – August 2, at Drury Lane… -
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces North American Premiere production of Brokeback Mountain
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Brokeback Mountain, the North American premiere production of Ashley Robinson's adaptation of the captivating novella by Annie Proulx that inspired the Academy Award-winning film. The production is directed by Jonathan Butterell and plays May 28–June 28 in…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.