American Utopia, the theatrical concert event from former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, wraps up its extended Broadway run at the Hudson Theatre February 16. The acclaimed show, which officially opened last fall, was originally scheduled through January but extended due to popular demand.
American Utopia reunites the Academy, Grammy, and Golden Globe Award-winning musician with director Alex Timbers, who is the production consultant, and choreographer Annie-B Parson, his collaborators on the acclaimed Imelda Marcos musical Here Lies Love. Didn't catch it on Broadway? Acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee filmed the production, though a release date has yet to be announced.
The show features songs from Byrne's 2018 album of the same name, along with hits from his time as Talking Heads frontman and throughout his solo career. Joining him onstage are an eclectic group of international musicians: Jacquelene Acevedo, Gustavo Di Dalva, Daniel Freedman, Chris Giarmo, Tim Keiper, Tendayi Kuumba, Karl Mansfield, Mauro Refosco, Stéphane San Juan, Angie Swan, and Bobby Wooten III.
American Utopia began previews October 4 ahead of an October 20 opening. The production has lighting design by Rob Sinclair and sound design by Pete Keppler. Karl Mansfield and Mauro Refosco are musical directors.
American Utopia began as an album that Byrne released on Nonesuch Records in March 2018. The recording was his first to reach No. 1 on the Album Chart and was also his first to reach the Top Five on the Billboard 200 chart. The theatrical concert played more than 150 dates in 27 countries over nine months in 2018, and was named Best International Contemporary Concert at Australia’s 2019 Helpmann Awards.
