Billie Joe Armstrong To Join 'Idiot' For 50 Shows

Billie Joe Armstrong apparently liked his Broadway debut in “American Idiot” – he’s signed on to return for 50 performances.

Producers said Tuesday the Green Day frontman will reprise the role of St. Jimmy in the punk rock musical that his songs inspired beginning Jan. 1 and ending Feb. 27 at The St. James Theatre.

Armstrong will appear in the show in three large chunks – Jan. 1-9, Jan. 18-30 and Feb. 10-27. Original Broadway cast member Tony Vincent will end his run as St. Jimmy on Dec. 30.

Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine, Calif.

Having the musical’s composer and co-author aboard has already proved a big draw. When Armstrong made his Broadway debut in September for a week, the box-office take was more than $1 million. Last week, the show grossed $600,000.

The show is based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning American Idiot concept album. It features every track from the album, plus several tunes from Green Day’s CD 21st Century Breakdown.

The musical – directed by Michael Mayer and with Tom Kitt’s musical arrangement – was nominated for three Tony Awards, including best musical, and won for best sets and lighting.

The high-octane show follows the story of three working-class characters from the suburbs to the city to the Middle East, as they seek redemption in a world filled with frustration.