Green Day Singer's Broadway Stint Brings “Idiot” $600k Sales Boost

"American Idiot" can thank its famous guest star for making it a very green day.

The Broadway production of the punk band's 2004 album saw its box office take skyrocket by $600,000 as Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day's lead singer, stepped in for an eight-show performance last week, reports Variety.

The show pulled in $1,092,334 over Armstong's run as St. Jimmy, an apparition that compells the show's protagonist, Jimmy, to use drugs. That was a record for the show, which had seen its previous high in June. In the week before his appearance, the show made $480,000.

The sales jump is perhaps more impressive given that the annoucement of his appearance occured just days before he took the stage.

The "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" singer stepped in for Tony Vincet, the actor who usually plays the role. Vincent took a leave of absence to attend to a family matter and understudies will fill the role between now and his return on October 12.

Armstrong made his Broadway debut with the role, but he has long been an advocate and promoter of the show.

Selected Reading: Variety, New York Times, Los Angeles Times

Contact Us