Aussie rock royalty joins Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ cast
Helping to tell Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer’s story of three mates who challenge the status quo will be The Superjesus linchpin Sarah McLeod.
Announced this morning, Sarah McLeod will share the role of St Jimmy with fellow Australian rock royalty Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon), rounding out the full cast of Green Day’s American Idiot in Australia.
The lauded Superjesus frontwoman joins an impressive list of past cast members to take the role, including Billie Joe Armstrong, Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cheney and Phil Jamieson.
Phil Jamieson as St Jimmy
Sarah McLeod said:
“I was secretly envious this year when I heard Chris (Cheney) and Phil (Jamieson) were doing it. I’ve always wanted to be involved in musical theatre but so far hadn’t found the right vehicle. And then BAM…a role that is so much up my alley.
“I totally relate to the split personality of Jesus of Suburbia and St Jimmy. My whole life I’ve felt like I’ve lived with a little devil on my shoulder whispering in my ear psyching me into trouble! At least that’s who I blame when I do get in trouble! The music is great too, it’s punk but it’s got this 60s feel to it with some of the melodies and harmonies that I just love. It’s really cleverly put together. I can’t wait to be a part of something so different, challenging and downright mega-town cool!”
The Australian production’s Executive Producer Nick Skubij said:
“When casting, we wanted to attract the country’s best talent, from multiple music genres to this show – Phil and Sarah have fronted two of the biggest bands in Australia and to have them join a cast of established and emerging music theatre performers is going to be electric.”
The award-winning Broadway phenomenon kicks off at Sydney Opera House from 11 January, before playing strictly limited seasons at Adelaide Festival Centre’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 19 January, Crown Theatre Perth from 2 February, Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 23 February and QPAC in Brisbane from 13 April.
This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.