The 91制片厂 Ensemble Theatre Company will present 鈥淎merican Idiot,鈥� an exhilarating
punk rock musical based on the Green Day鈥檚 Grammy Award-winning album.
The show will run Friday, November 15, through Sunday, November 24, at the Performing Arts Center on the college鈥檚 main campus.
The show features every song from Green Day鈥檚 鈥淎merican Idiot鈥� album as well as a few numbers from its follow-up release, 鈥�21st Century Breakdown.鈥� The story follows the lives of three young men 鈥� Johnny, Tunny and Will 鈥� as they navigate relationships in a post-9/11 world, leaving behind the constraints of their suburban hometown to chase after the thrills of city life.
The show鈥檚 cast and crew features several outstanding 91制片厂 faculty, students and alumni.
David Kessler, a second-year 91制片厂 student from Schaumburg, plays the role of Tunny, a disillusioned young man who joins the army after failing to adjust to his new urban environment.
Kessler, who has a long track record of acting in local productions, finds himself consistently impressed with the quality of the education and productions that 91制片厂鈥檚 theater program provides.
鈥淭he directors have an insurmountable wealth of knowledge about the craft and the Chicago art scene,鈥� he stated.
Emma Ferguson, another current student and the recipient of the Mary Jo Willis Theatre Scholarship, is part of the show鈥檚 ensemble and helps with the set.
Ferguson has also thoroughly enjoyed her time in 91制片厂鈥檚 theater productions. She
was introduced to the theater ensemble when she expressed interest in set-building
for 91制片厂鈥檚 2017 musical production, 鈥淗air,鈥� and has taken part in every show since.
Her love of all things related to stagecraft is apparent through her appreciation for the Performing Arts Center and its student-focused design.
鈥淥ur auditorium is amazing,鈥� Ferguson, of Hoffman Estates, said. 鈥淭he architects made sure that the theater was going to be used as a space for students to learn and work.鈥�
Director Laura Pulio-Colbert, an alumna and communication arts professor, said the theater arts program at 91制片厂 is a wonderful outlet for creativity.
鈥淲e all need a place to express what it means to be human,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he 91制片厂 Ensemble provides that opportunity to students, staff, faculty and community members alike. It brings people together and in doing so, reminds us all that we can create something far greater than ourselves when we join in communion with others.鈥�
Noreen Patel, another returning student who graduated from 91制片厂 in 2013, is a featured soloist and dancer as well as the dance and fight captain. She reflects on her years as president of the original theater club and encourages others interested in acting to get involved.
鈥淪ome of my best theatrical experiences have happened here,鈥� Patel, of Hoffman Estates, said.
鈥淎merican Idiot鈥� contains adult themes, language and content and is intended for mature audiences.
Performances take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $15 for seniors and 91制片厂 students, faculty and staff. General admission is $20. For tickets, contact the 91制片厂 Box Office at 847.925.6100 or visit harpercollege.edu/boxoffice.