Green Day say farewell to American Idiot musical

Green Day played an hour-long farewell concert as the 'American Idiot' musical closed on Broadway last night (25.04.11).

Green Day played an hour-long farewell concert as the 'American Idiot' musical drew to a close on Broadway last night (25.04.11).

The punk band - made up of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool - performed a 10-song set, which included hits such as 'Holiday' and 'Burnout', at the St. James Theatre in New York City as the cast danced behind them drinking beer.

Following frontman Billie Joe's departure from the cast at the end of January, ticket sales for the musical had suffered.

However, the rocker reprised his role as St. Jimmy for the production's final three weeks, beginning on April 5.

Although it's Broadway run is coming to an end, 'American Idiot' - which follows the life of disaffected youth Johnny as he flees his parents' suburban home - is going to continue as a touring production which will kick-off in the US in autumn 2011.

Meanwhile, 'Milk' screenwriter Dustin Lance Black is in talks to write the script for the film version of the musical - which is based around the band's seminal 2004 concept album.

Michael Mayer is set to direct the big screen project, while Billie Joe is to play St. Jimmy once again.

When 'American Idiot' first opened in 2010, the rocker admitted he was proud of the way the musical "moves" people.

Billie Joe said: "It moves people. I think it's the same reason why you would want to go see a band play live, you know?

"It's a record that's coming to life, it's in your face, and it's a story. That's what 'American Idiot' does. That's what it does in the music, and that's what it does onstage."