It seems like every time Green Day puts forth a serious artistic statement, something comes along, pats them on the head, gives them a lollipop and sends them out to recess. And they go willingly. In other words, the band preaches revolution, but the message is subverted by the very commercial means they use to reach an audience

Take their major label debut “Dookie.” The sound and songs off that album seemed subversive, at least before being embraced by the nation’s 6th graders.

In years to come, “American Idiot,” “Know Your Enemy” and their excellent cover of “Working Class Hero” were battle cries against The Man. Then you start to hear “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” on later-day episodes of ER, not to mention sung by the glee club at your cousin’s high school graduation.

Their performance on the second episode of the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien unquestionably rocked. But shouldn’t Billie Joe Armstrong have been sneering at the audience, instead of getting them to clap along?

I mean, they sound punk, but were they ever, in fact, punk?

If they were before, they aren’t now. Vulture is reporting that Green Day has assembled its creative team for American Idiot: The Musical, which will run for five weeks this fall at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Image from Berkeley Rep

In a statement on Berkeley’s website, Armstrong said of the theater “They’re an amazing theatre group, very adventurous, and their willingness to take chances is in keeping with the spirit of the album. The end result will be terrific, and we’re really proud.”

Johnny Rotten wept.