Full casting is announced for Green Day’s explosive award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot as it blasts into the UK from 17 July, at The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square.
The full cast are Luke Baker (Theo), Natasha Barnes (Heather), Alexis Gerred (Tunny), Llandyll Gove (Gerard), Raquel Jones (Extraordinary girl), Natasha Karp (Alysha) Robyn Mellor (Libby), Lucas Rush (St. Jimmy), Steve Rushton (Will), Aaron Sidwell (Johnny) and Ross William Wild (Joshua). They join the previously announced X Factor star, Amelia Lily who is playing Whatshername.
The award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot runs from 17 July until 27 September 2015, with press night on 22 July. The musical features the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, and book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer. The production is being directed and choreographed by Racky Plews, with musical supervision by Richard Morris, sound by Chris Whybrow, design by Sara Perks and lighting by Tim Deiling.
American Idiot is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9-11 world. Winner of two Tony Awards® and the 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, American Idiot premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009, moving onto a critically acclaimed Broadway run in April 2010.
Its hit songs include “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum album. Also included are several songs from Green Day’s 2009 release “21st Century Breakdown,” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”
Aaron Sidwell is best known on screen for playing series regular Steven Beale in EastEnders. His previous work on stage includes playing Carl Bruner in Ghost the Musical at the English Theatre Frankfurt, Michael Dork in the Olivier Award Nominated Loserville: The Musical at West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Garrick Theatre, Michael Carrington in Cool Rider Live at the Lyric and Duchess Theatre, Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet for an Open Air Tour, Jack Sprat in the national tour of Carnaby Street – The Musical and Ham in Children of Eden at The Prince of Wales Theatre. Aaron’s other screen work includes Lewis in The Nephilim; the Internet drama Almost but not quite, and Blood Army. Aaron also performs in a band, The Boston Plan, who toured with Professor Green, and then supported many other acts including Alexandra Burke, Agro Santos and The Wanted.
Amelia Lily (Whatshername) is a singer who finished third on the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011, mentored by Kelly Rowland. Her debut single, “You Bring Me Joy”, was released in 2012 and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, while her follow-up singles “Shut Up (and Give Me Whatever You Got)” and “Party Over” (both 2013) reached the top 20 and the top 40 respectively. Amelia has recently finished touring the UK as the Narrator in Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. American Idiot The Musical will be Amelia’s West End debut.
Photo: Garry Lake
Website: www.americanidiotwestend.com