VideoWatch David Byrne Talk Modifying American Utopia, Why the Cast Wears Suits, What Was Worse About 1970s New York, MoreFormer Talking Heads frontman Byrne appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
By
Andrew Gans
January 04, 2022
Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers January 3. The award-winning musician spoke about reworking his Tony-honored Broadway show, American Utopia, which resumed performances December 28 at the St. James Theatre with a modified program due to breakthrough COVID-19 cases within the company.
Byrne told host Meyers that audiences "really want to be together. They really want to express themselves and have a good time." The musician also spoke about why the cast wears gray suits; what was worse about 1970s New York; his upcoming book of artwork created during the pandemic; and when he originally met Spike Lee, who filmed American Utopia for HBO Max. Watch the full interview above.
Byrne also gave a shout out to American Utopia percussionist GustavoDiDalva, who is a guest drummer/percussionist with the 8G Band throughout the week on Late Night.
American Utopia featuresByrne with band members Jacquelene Acevedo, Di Dalva, Daniel Freedman, Chris Giarmo, Tim Keiper, Tendayi Kuumba, Karl Mansfield, Mauro Refosco, Stéphane San Juan, Angie Swan, and Bobby Wooten III. The company standbys are Renée Albulario, Alena Ciera, Chris Eddleton, Evan Frierson, Abe Nouri, and Natalie Tenenbaum.
Under the guidance of production consultant Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!), the show features lighting design by Rob Sinclair, sound design by Pete Keppler, and musical direction by Karl Mansfield and Mauro Refosco. Annie-B Parson provides choreography and musical staging.
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Check Out New Photos of the Broadway Return of David Byrne's American Utopia
Check Out New Photos of the Broadway Return of David Byrne's American Utopia
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Chris Giarmo, David Byrne, and Tendayi Kuumba in David Byrne's American Utopia
Matthew Murphy
Angie Swan, Stéphane San Juan, and Karl Mansfield in David Byrne's American Utopia
Tendayi Kuumba, Karl Mansfield, and Chris Giarmo in David Byrne's American Utopia
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
Tendayi Kuumba, Bobby Wooten III, David Byrne, Angie Swan, and Chris Giarmo in David Byrne's American Utopia
Daniel Freedman, Mauro Refosco, Jacquelene Acevedo, Gustavo Di Dalva, Angie Swan, Stéphane San Juan, David Byrne, Tendayi Kuumba, Karl Mansfield, Tim Keiper, Chris Giarmo, and Bobby Wooten III in David Byrne's American Utopia
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
Jacquelene Acevedo, Bobby Wooten III, and Gustavo Di Dalva in David Byrne's American Utopia
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
Matthew Murphy
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
Matthew Murphy
Tendayi Kuumba, Bobby Wooten III, Angie Swan, and Chris Giarmo in David Byrne's American Utopia
Gustavo Di Dalva, Mauro Refosco, Jacquelene Acevedo, and Stéphane San Juan in David Byrne's American Utopia
Gustavo Di Dalva, David Byrne, and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
Gustavo Di Dalva, Jacquelene Acevedo, Daniel Freedman, Mauro Refosco, Stéphane San Juan, and Tim Keiper in David Byrne's American Utopia
Matthew Murphy
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
Tendayi Kuumba in David Byrne's American Utopia
Daniel Freedman and Bobby Wooten III in David Byrne's American Utopia
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
The American Utopia band in David Byrne's American Utopia
Matthew Murphy
The American Utopia band in David Byrne's American Utopia
David Byrne and cast in David Byrne's American Utopia
