On January 10, 2011, the cast of Broadway's American Idiot celebrated their 300th performance, a special milestone that now makes it one of the top 200 longest-running shows of all time and steadily rising.

That's not all that was unique about that performance, however. The show's composer, Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the band Green Day (and 2010 Character Approved Honoree) appeared onstage as well.

After testing the waters during a short run last year, Armstrong is now back in the show performing 50 times throughout January and February of 2011. Not only is he a rock star acting in a musical which he himself composed (something Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber have yet to do), he's also paying a strong tribute to theatre history as he does so.

The Character Approved Armstrong has long talked about his Broadway background and impressive knowledge base, which began as a youngster when he sang with his voice teacher on a wide range of material from show tunes like Oliver! and Annie Get Your Gun.

By demonstrating his knowledge and appreciation of those who came before him, Armstrong isn't just packing them in at the St. James Theatre, he's doing right by Broadway as well. Check the American Idiot schedule carefully here and catch him if you can!

[Photo: Walter McBride / BroadwayWorld.com]