Media Morsels 3.4.11

• American Idiot
  On Sunday night, American Idiot on Broadway and I said goodbye to original cast members John Gallagher, Jr., and Michael Esper and the most recent St Jimmy, Billie Joe Armstrong. The three very talented men played their final performance at the St James and, dear readers, I cried through the entire thing. To quote Esper, it was the most "thrilling, heart wrenching, joyous, devastating, magical, loving and unforgettable" night of theatre. All three are moving on to great projects (Johnny's headed to Jerusalem, where he'll star alongside Mark Rylance; Esper is headed to The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures at the Public; and Billie Joe is headed back to the studio with his bandmates to record a new Green Day album) but their presence at the St James will be greatly missed. Here, watch Billie Joe serenading his leading men in an encore. Beautiful.

As the three talented men left, the Idiots welcomed new cast members (or vets in new roles). Veteran Idiots Van Hughes and Libby Winters succeeded Gallagher as Johnny and Christina Sajous as the Extraordinary Girl, respectively. Newbie Justin Guarini took Esper's spot, playing couch-ridden Will. Visit Broadwayworld.com for photos of the new cast and visit Broadway.com to learn what the experience has been like for Hughes.

In other American Idiot news, a date and location of the upcoming tour was announced this week. Folks in LA can look forward to watching American Idiot at the Ahmanson Theatre next spring, March 14-April 22, 2012. Season subscriptions are available this month. As always, visit americanidiotonbroadway.com for all the latest updates.


• Cover Me
  Last weekend, Rolling Stone asked its readers to choose the ten best covers. The readers gamely took up the challenge, rightfully naming Jimi Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" the best cover. (I know so many people who think it's a Hendrix tune; they are shocked to learn the song was written and originated by Bob Dylan. Shame on them for their rock and roll IQ deficiency.) Other picks included Johnny Cash's cover of (recent Oscar winner) Trent Reznor's "Hurt,"Jeff Buckley's heartbreaking rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and another Dylan cover, Guns N' Roses's "Knockin on Heaven's Door." What do you think? Share your favorite covers in the comments section below.
  
  
• Dig This
• Meet the cast from the upcoming Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, penned by Tony Kushner and featuring the former Idiot Michael Esper.
  
  
• Aaron Tveit is featured in the April issue Vanity Fair. Can't wait to see him "live, in living color" in Catch Me if You Can!
  
  
• Good People opened this week. Look at these photos from the star-studded arrivals, including two of my favorite star studs, John Gallagher, Jr., and Tom Kitt!