‘American Idiot’ on stage

Green Day’s album wonders what sort of American dreams we’ve sold our kids -- and ourselves. The stage musical focuses on three suburban pals. Van Hughes, in the white T-shirt, plays Johnny, who skips town for the big city.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

In the anonymous city, Jimmy falls into the clutches of the drug-dealing St. Jimmy, played by Joshua Kobak, at center.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Drugs pull Jimmy in one direction; the strong, fierce, powerfully attractive Whatsername, played by Gabrielle McClinton, third from left, tries to pull him in another. “American Idiot” is visiting the Ahmanson Theatre.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Night life, with its promise of oblivion, forever calls to the tale’s young people. Billie Joe Armstrong’s lyrics provide the story thread to “American Idiot.”  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Another of the suburban pals is Tunny, played by Scott J. Campbell, in the middle bed. He enlists in the military and ends up in the Middle East, hospitalized. “American Idiot,” on tour, is at the Ahmanson Theatre through April 22.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Tunny’s hospitalization brings on a dream of transformation.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

At the height of Tunny’s dream, he and his nurse, portrayed by Scott J. Campbell and Nicci Claspell, enact an aerial ballet.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The bus to the big city takes a few turns. The stage version of “American Idiot” visualizes the 2004 Green Day album.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Johnny, played by Van Hughes, finds himself staring inwardly into a void.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The curtain call is accompanied by the thrumming of many guitars. The tour’s three leads are at center: Jake Epstein, in black; Van Hughes in white shirt; and Scott J. Campbell in military fatigues. “American Idiot” is visiting L.A. after its Berkeley debut and a Broadway run.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)