Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Warns of Censorship After School Drops 'American Idiot'

A decision by officials at a Connecticut high school to drop a student production of the Green Day rock opera American Idiot drew an online rebuke from the band's frontman.

Enfield High School's drama club posted fliers at the school announcing auditions.

Is New Green Day Music Coming? Billie Joe Armstrong Shares Studio Pic 

But drama club director Nate Ferreira tells the Hartford Courant that he and the school's principal decided to drop "American Idiot" because some parents expressed concern. The production contains swearing, drug use and sex.

Green Day's frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, sent an open letter to the school board on Instagram on Monday, even though the board did not make the decision. He noted there is a high school version of the production and said "the bigger issue is censorship."

Green Day Re-Releases Album ‘American Idiot'

He wrote: "Dear Enfield high school board, it has come to my attention that you cancelled your high school theater production of American Idiot. I realize the content of the Broadway production of AI is not quite 'suitable' for a younger audience.  However there is a high school rendition of the production and I believe that's the one Enfield was planning to perform which is suitable for most people. It would be a shame if these high schoolers were shut down over some of the content that may be challenging for some of the audience. But the bigger issue is censorship. This production tackles issues in a post 9/11 world and I believe the kids should be heard. And most of all be creative in telling a story about our history. 

 

dear Enfield high school board, #enfieldhighschoolmusical #highschoolidiot #enfieldidiot It has come to my attention that you cancelled your high school theater production of American Idiot. I realize the content of the Broadway production of AI is not quite "suitable" for a younger audience. However there is a high school rendition of the production and I believe that's the one Enfield was planning to perform which is suitable for most people. it would be a shame if these high schoolers were shut down over some of the content that may be challenging for some of the audience. but the bigger issue is censorship. this production tackles issues in a post 9/11 world and I believe the kids should be heard. and most of all be creative in telling a story about our history. I hope you reconsider and allow them to create an amazing night of theater! as they say on Broadway .. "the show must go on!" rage and love Billie Joe Armstrong ps. I love that your school is called "Raiders"

A photo posted by Billie Joe Armstrong (@billiejoearmstrong) on Jan 25, 2016 at 10:59am PST

 

The school will instead put on Little Shop of Horrors.