Schenectady Light Opera Company will close out its 99th season beginning Friday with ‘American Idiot,’ a rock opera driven by the music of the alt-rock band Green Day, as young adults react to the events of 9/11.

Shenandoah Briere and I were fortunate and grateful to host co-director Michaela Torres and actor Adrienne Parker, who plays the role of 'Whatshername' in the podcast studio before opening night.

The 30-somethings in the room, all outnumbering Stan, recounted where they were on 9/11, how their lives changed, and what this musical, rock-opera, and the music of Green Day elicits from them.

It does get heavy at times, including when Torres vividly recounts waiting for a phone call from New York while still living with her very pregnant mother on 9/11.

But not for long. It's a music, reflective look at politics and society, along with a short listen to what's in store at American Idiot at SLOC.