EXCLUSIVE: Interview with American Idiot’s Talia Aaron

Talia Aaron

Dancap’s much-anticipated American Idiot, based on Green Day’s internationally acclaimed album, premieres at Toronto Centre for the Arts in less than a week.

Toronto’s Talia Aaron could not be more excited about being a part of the rock musical. Aaron, whose credits include We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!, and Grease, sat down with Shalom Life to chat about the production, her love for Green Day, and our society’s recent fascination with rock opera’s.

The first - and the only Canadian - stop on the tour is Toronto. Are you excited to begin in the city?

I’m SO excited to begin in the city. I’m really proud to be a part of this show and so grateful that my friends and family will get the chance to see our hard work before we hit the road. I think they’re going to love it!

What can we expect from the show?

The show is gonna make people’s heads explode. It’s 90 minutes of pure, raw energy. From the dynamic set and lights to the intricate harmonies to the beautiful story to Green Day’s powerful lyrics to the amazingly gifted cast, every element is a force. It’s the kind of show you can watch over and over again and see something new each time.

I think people can also expect to be challenged and changed by this show. Green Day’s music is anthemic, it’s a call to question the status quo and to seek something better. That spirit is definitely at the forefront of American Idiot and I think people will leave feeling energized by it.

Were you a Green Day fan before the production?

Oh yeah! Green Day’s Dookie was the first CD I ever bought for myself when I made enough babysitting money. I’ve been a big fan ever since. Their music is so empowering for anyone who’s ever felt different. It makes you want to stand up and scream your truth, to fully be who you are. It’s like awesome-sounding therapy.

What's your favourite musical number to perform in American Idiot?

I have so many right now! The great thing about being in the Ensemble is that we get to express ourselves in SO many different ways. I’m pretty in love with going all-out in Holiday and Letterbomb, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be Wake Me Up When September Ends. The song itself is so stunning, Van’s performance is incredibly touching, and the choreography and design are amazingly powerful. There’s a part in it where we are lying on the floor singing beautiful harmonies after this really emotional dance. It makes me cry every time.

You've previously been in We Will Rock You. Why do you think audiences are responding so positively to rock operas?

I can’t think of a more energized experience than being at a rock concert. The act of taking that spirit and adding story, picture, light and movement to it, makes for an almost overwhelmingly rich spectacle. That’s why energized, epic rock music like Green Day’s and Queen’s, belongs on Broadway. You can’t help but be taken away on a journey by art that powerful, and that’s what theatre should be all about.

For tickets and show information, visit http://www.dancaptickets.com/pages/idiot

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