Melissa Etheridge set to play lead in American Idiot

Well-known singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge is set to play the role of St. Jimmy in Green Day's American Idiot musical during Billie Joe Armstrong's week break between the 1st to the 6th of February. Armstrong will still be playing the role for much of the winter.

Director Michael Mayer spoke to The New York Times about the casting of Etheridge, stating

"Billie Joe and I always believed that it would be incredible to have a woman take on the role of St. Jimmy. This character is seductive, thrilling and dangerous. Melissa Etheridge is all that and so much more. She's a rock icon and we couldn't be more thrilled that she's bringing her immense talent to American Idiot."