Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus and Adalita, formerly of Magic Dirt, have been announced to play opposite Phil Jamieson in the Australian production of Green Day’s American Idiot.
“I am so excited to have been offered this role,” Sarah said in a statement. “I was secretly envious this year when I heard Chris (Cheney) and Phil (Jamieson) were doing it. I’ve always wanted to be involved in musical theatre but so far hadn’t found the right vehicle. And then BAM…a role that is so much up my alley”.
“I totally relate to the split personality of Jesus of Suburbia and St Jimmy,” she says. “My whole life I’ve felt like I’ve lived with a little devil on my shoulder whispering in my ear psyching me into trouble! At least that’s who I blame when I do get in trouble! The music is great too, it’s punk but it’s got this 60s feel to it with some of the melodies and harmonies that I just love. It’s really cleverly put together. I can’t wait to be a part of something so different, challenging and downright mega-town cool!”
Adalita said, “I’m so excited to be playing St Jimmy in American Idiot, it just feels like the right role that’s come at the right time. Musical theatre is something I’ve done before but not on this scale. I know it can be a really high-pressure environment, but I love a challenge and I’m super keen to step up. The songs are incredible, the story is great, and I’ve always had a lot of respect for Green Day and Billie Joe Armstrong. It’s a massive honour and I can’t wait to get stuck in, it’s going to be a blast!”
Joining Adalita and Sarah is an all-Australian cast led by Linden Furnell as Johnny, the protagonist of the story. Linden was the winner of the 2016 Rob Guest Endowment Award and was last seen in the Australian tour of Kinky Boots and in the sold-out seasons of RENT.
Phoebe Panaretos will reprise the role of Whatsername which earned her a 2017 Helpmann Award® nomination for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Phoebe made her professional debut when she was just 11 and since then has made international headlines being handpicked by Baz Lurhmann to play the lead role of Fran in Strictly Ballroom the Musical.
Rounding out the cast are Connor Crawford as Tunny, Kaylah Attard as Extraordinary Girl, Alex Jeans as Will and Ashleigh Taylor as Heather with Erin Clare, Christopher Scalzo, Nicholas Kyriacou, Kyla Bartholomeusz, Maxwell Simon, Vidya Makan, Phoenix Mendoza and Kuki Tipoki.
SYDNEY
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
From January 11 – January 14 2018
ST. JIMMY to be played by PHIL JAMIESON*
ADELAIDE
Her Majesty’s Theatre
From January 19 – January 28 2018
ST. JIMMY to be played by PHIL JAMIESON & ADALITA*
PERTH
Crown Theatre
From February 2 – February 11 2018
ST. JIMMY to be played by PHIL JAMIESON & ADALITA*
MELBOURNE
Comedy Theatre
From February 23 – March 11 2018
ST. JIMMY to be played by PHIL JAMIESON, SARAH McLEOD & ADALITA*
BRISBANE
Playhouse Theatre, QPAC
From April 13 – April 21 2018
ST. JIMMY to be played by PHIL JAMIESON & SARAH McLEOD*
DARWIN
Playhouse, The Darwin Entertainment Centre
From May 3 – May 6 2018
ST. JIMMY to be played by SARAH McLEOD
