Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Returning to 'American Idiot' Musical

Tickets for Green Day's 'American Idiot' musical sold rather slowly in recent months, but an autumn acting stint from Billie Joe Armstrong was such a resounding success that promoters are bringing him back to the stage for another go.

On Tuesday, the show's publicists confirmed to the New York Times that the singer and guitarist plans to reprise his role as the rebellious St. Jimmy starting at the beginning of 2011. Armstrong will be onstage Jan. 1-9, 18-30 and Feb. 10-27 for 50 performances in all. Promoters are hoping for similar crowds as the last time he hit the stage, when ticket sales jumped to 93.4 percent.

'American Idiot,' which originated at the Berkeley Repertory Theater before moving to Broadway in April, stars John Gallagher Jr. and features direction from Michael Mayer. Those roles will remain the same. Armstrong is replacing actor Tony Vincent, who has played St. Jimmy in both Berkeley and New York. His last show will be Dec. 30.