At first is seemed like a bit of a long-shot: a drug and sex-infused musical based on the lives of troubled young adults set to the music of punk group Green Day. But with a talented cast and director Micheal Mayer (the guy behind “Spring Awakening”), and not to mention a slew of Green Day fans ready and waiting to see the show, it only seems natural that Berkeley Rep’s “American Idiot” would be a big-ticket seller. But who knew it would be the third show in the last year (after “The Vibrator Play” and “Wishful Drinking”)that Berkeley Rep has sent to Broadway?

Chatter of the possibility of a Broadway run has been floating about as of late—Berkeley Rep  has already extended the show twice from its original closing date. But only yesterday was it made somewhat official. Playbill News and the LA Times Arts and Culture Blog Culture Monster report that a casting notice has been posted for the show in New York. Though this isn’t absolute confirmation, and while we don’t yet know when the show will open over there, this is still an exciting prospect and yet another big opportunity for our very own Berkeley Rep. Also, no news on whether or not any members of the original Berkeley Rep cast will follow the show to Broadway.

I saw “American Idiot” on opening night—and I would be lying if I didn’t say that the excitement in that theater was anything less than palpable. How often do you see twenty-somethings sitting in the third row of the Roda drinking PBR’s, genuinely excited by theater? “American Idiot,” even though it may play more like a live music video than a Broadway show in the traditional sense, speaks to our generation.

Is the future of Broadway currently on Addison Way in Berkeley?

Oh, and by the way, “American Idiot” closes on the 15th—you’ve got five days, people!

Image: Berkeley Repertory Theatre