Green Day Singer Comments on Cancellation of Enfield High School Play

A famous rock star took to social media Monday to express his feelings regarding a decision to cancel a planned performance of a controversial musical at Enfield High School.

The Enfield Lamplighters had planned to stage an adaptation of “American Idiot,” which is based on a rock opera by 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Green Day. However, the production was recently canceled, reportedly because “a very small number of extremely vocal people have complained about our choice of production,” according to an email from Lamplighters director Nate Ferreira which was reported on broadwayworld.com.

“American Idiot” tells the story of three young men struggling to cope with the difficulties of life, and contains considerable foul language and scenes involving drug abuse. An alternative version of the five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway production has been edited considerably, making it more appropriate for teenage performers.

According to broadwayworld.com, Ferreira had been working with Music Theatre International, the musical’s licensing agent, to come up with an even cleaner version of the script, but those efforts ground suddenly to a halt.

Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer and lyricist of Green Day, posted the following note on Instagram Monday afternoon, regarding what he views as censorship:

“billiejoearmstrong dear Enfield high school board, #enfieldhighschoolmusical#highschoolidiot #enfieldidiot

It has come to my attention that you cancelled your high school theater production of American Idiot.
I realize the content of the Broadway production of AI is not quite “suitable” for a younger audience.
However there is a high school rendition of the production and I believe that’s the one Enfield was planning to perform which is suitable for most people.
it would be a shame if these high schoolers were shut down over some of the content that may be challenging for some of the audience. but the bigger issue is censorship. this production tackles issues in a post 9/11 world and I believe the kids should be heard. and most of all be creative in telling a story about our history.”

Enfield High School principal Andrew Longey did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

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