Blog post 4

A documentary on pop idol Michael Jackson opens in theaters on October 28, 2009. The film, “This Is It,” covers the Jackson’s last tour before his unexpected death in June 2009.

The movie will be shown in over 3,000 theaters across the US and almost 19,000 theaters internationally. The film runs for a short 2 weeks before closing.

The director of the documentary, Danny Ortega, calls the movie a “…musical mosaic." Ortega worked with Jackson on choreography during the Jackson’s last London shows.

In early March 2009, Michael Jackson planned a comeback tour with a limited run of 10 shows. Once ticket sales for the concerts skyrocketed, Jackson increased the number of performances to 50. Jackson suffered from a cardiac arrest and died several weeks before the tour season started.

The “This Is It” documentary includes never before seen footage from tour rehearsals and will give fans a behind the scenes look at Michael Jackson life just before his tragic death.

References

“Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ Peek Reveals Star in Onstage Glory.” Claire Hoffman. Rolling Stone. October 23, 2009. Web. October 26, 2009. <http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/10/23/michael-jacksons-this-is-it-peek-reveals-star-in-onstage-glory/>

“'This Is It' movie tickets a sales hit for Michael Jackson.” Erin Durkin. New York Daily. September 28, 2009. Web. October 26, 2009. <http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2009/09/28/2009-09-28_movie_tickets_a_sales_hit_for_michael_jackson.html>

“Director: Jackson movie 'This Is It' is 'a musical mosaic'.” Anthony Breznican. USA Today. October 25, 2009. Web. October 26, 2009. <http://www.usatoday.com/life/moviesnews/2009-10-25-this-is-it-preview_N.htm>

Blog Post 3

The rock album, American Idiot, from punk trio Green day, has been transformed into a stage adaptation, featuring the music from the album. The rock opera musical, American Idiot, currently plays at the Berkley Repertory Theatre in Berkley, California.

This original production is the collaboration of the band Green Day and Michael Mayer, director of the Broadway sensation Spring Awakening. This process began during spring of 2009 and came to fruition with the opening of the musical in September 2009.

According to a Rolling Stone interview with the punk band’s singer and guitarist, Billie Joel Armstrong, the group originally toyed with a movie adaptation. “The enthusiasm got lost…” says Armstrong. “Then the guy from Spring Awakening, Michael Mayer … was doing an interview. Someone asked him what he wanted to do next, and he said he'd love to do the musical of American Idiot.” The rest is history.

The album, American Idiot, debuted in 2004 as a punk anthem of today’s generation, a group of youth plagued by apathy and cynicism. This stage adaptation follows suit with the storyline and the punk feel of the musical score.

Future plans are unknown for the play once it finishes its run on the Berkley theatre stage.

References:
“The Birth of Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ Musical.” David Fricke. Rolling Stone. Web. June 16, 2009. October 11, 2009.
<http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/28684667/the_birth_of_green_days_american_idiot_musical>

“Green Day's 'American Idiot' Musical.” William Goodman. Spin. October 6, 2009. Web. October 11, 2009.
<http://www.spin.com/articles/sneak-peek-green-days-american-idiot-musical>

"Green Day Reaches New Stage.” Jesse McKinley. The New York Times, September 17, 2009. Web October 11, 2009.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/theater/18greenday.html?ref=theater>

“Staging Youth’s Existential Quest with Green Day Variations.” Charles Isherwood. October 10, 2009. Web. October 11, 2009.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/theater/reviews/10isherwood.html?ref=theater>