American Idiot: Punk opera’s role a job-share for three singers

Adalita Srsen, Phil Jamieson and Sarah McLeod will share the role of the devilish St Jimmy.

Adalita Srsen, Phil Jamieson and Sarah McLeod will share the central role of St Jimmy in American Idiot. Picture: John Feder.

American Idiot broke through the sound barrier in the years immediately after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — and Australian singer Adalita Srsen says the punk opera has lost none of its power to rock a modern audience.

Originally a concept album by Californian punk band Green Day, American Idiot was adapted as a Broadway musical and is about to embark on a national tour.

“There’s a lot of commentary on rebellion in the show: standing up for your rights, being true to yourself, and kicking against the pricks,” says Srsen, one of three singers who share a central role in the show.

Touching on themes including consumerism, military service and drug addiction, American Idiot is rooted in Green Day’s outsider stance and has struck a chord with tens of millions of fans worldwide.

Srsen, 46, who fronted Geelong band Magic Dirt during the 1990s and 2000s, shares the role of the devilish St Jimmy, representing the darker side of ­adolescent experimentation with sex, drugs and loud guitars.

Phil Jamieson, frontman of ARIA Award-winning rock band Grinspoon, will rotate onstage duties with Srsen and Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus.

“The story is a coming-of-age musical,” said Jamieson, 40. “It’s about three young men falling in and out of love, and that journey from late adolescence. Jimmy takes Johnny down the path of debauchery, and encourages him to embrace a hedonistic lifestyle.

“Sarah and Adalita are brilliant in their own right, and they’re going to bring their own sense of venom, spark and ­inherent anarchism to the role.”

Jamieson first played the role of St Jimmy at the show’s ­­Aus­tralian premiere in Brisbane last year. “It’s a perpetual motion show, with no intermission,” he said.

“Once you start, you’re on the ride until it ends — which is thrilling, but really daunting.”

Srsen and McLeod have both fronted rock bands for 20-odd years yet neither has previously appeared in a musical.

“Phil’s the godfather in this, and he’s so generous and supportive,” Srsen said.

“We’re all bringing our own take to Jimmy: it’s a great idea to play the loveable rogue, from both a male and female point of view.”

The 2004 American Idiot album sold 16 million copies and five years later was adapted for the stage in collaboration with Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong.

The show will open on ­Thursday at the Sydney Opera House, will then tour nationally until May.