Green Day have revealed that they were moved to tears by their musical American Idiot.

The band’s bassist Mike Dirnt said the group became emotional as they watched rehearsals for the Broadway production.

"All of us actually came to tears, because you don't get to see Green Day play live if you're actually in Green Day," he said.

"But to see these voices and the way all the cast were singing, you just abandon hope of a tissue and let 'em stream. ... [We were like,] 'No, that's allergies, man!”

Drummer Tre Cool also admitted that he found the experience moving, and that he “brought a little thing of tissues and I drank two glasses of wine” to a later rehearsal.

American Idiot opens at New York's St. James Theatre tonight (April 20).

It was reported recently that actor Tom Hanks was hoping to turn the production into a movie.

(by Jason Gregory)