David Byrne’s AMERICAN UTOPIA is burning down a brand-new house on Broadway! Grab some tickets and come see the newest, and craziest, show from Talking Heads founder and superstar, David Byrne. The music legend is joined by 11 extremely talented musicians from around the globe in a jubilant celebration of live music, community and connection.
“TOTAL JOY!” – New York Magazine
“AN ASTONISHING KNOCKOUT.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“AN ARTISTICALLY STUNNING TOUR DE FORCE.” – Variety
Marking a major cultural milestone in the world of music and theater, created by innovative Pop-rock icon, David Byrne of Talking Heads, and Here Lies Love, shares the spotlight with a diverse ensemble of 11 musical artists from around the globe to deliver a theatrical, quasi-concert production, “a marvel of staging and motion” says Chicago Tribune, that’s as surprisingly timely as it is supremely funky. Don’t miss this “thought-provoking example of the power of live music” according to Forbes, that incorporates music, interpretive dance and Byrne’s stage banter, which ranges from comical to topical, it’s “an experience unlike anything else” screams Billboard.
“MAY JUST BE THE BEST LIVE SHOW OF ALL TIME.” – NME
★★★★★ “A LIFE-AFFIRMING RITE OF DEFIANT CELEBRATION.” – New York Stage Review
American Utopia began life as the tenth studio album by the British-American rock musician David Byrne, released in March 2018. It is Byrne’s first solo project to reach the top 5 on the Billboard 200, debuting at number 3, and the album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. The theatrical concert, which includes songs from the album along with songs from Talking Heads back catalog and Byrne’s solo career, has toured to 27countries. Following American Utopia’s celebrated arrival on Broadway in 2019-2020, the production won a special Tony Award, created just for the show, because it totally defied categorization by not fitting into any of the musical or play divisions. A filmed version of the show, directed by Spike Lee opened the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2020 and went on to premiere on HBO. With a 98% approval rating on review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, with an acclaimed consensus stating that it is, “helmed in elegant and exhilarating style by Spike Lee, David Byrne’s American Utopia is a concert film that doubles as a joyously cathartic celebration.”
“THIS MIGHT JUST BE THE DIRECTION BROADWAY IS GOING.” – Vogue
“AN EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE.” – Billboard
The current stage production show features David Byrne as lead singer, guitarist and actor, along with percussionists, Jacquelene Acevedo, Gustavo Di Dalva, Daniel Freedman, Tim Keiper, Mauro Refosco, and Stéphane San Juan. Singer and tireless dancer Chris Giarmo, singer Tendayi Kuumba, keyboardist Karl Mansfield also providing musical direction, guitarist Angie Swan and bassist Bobby Wooten III. With “astonishing” staging by choreographer Annie-B Parson, and Alex Timbers serving as production consultant. Beautiful Lighting by Rob Sinclair, and the amazing sound setup by Pete Keppler.
“DAZZLING, RAPTUROUS AND JUBILANT. Byrne puts the central tenet of making contact with the world into dynamic, sensory practice onstage.” – The New York Times
“Life-affirming isn’t a term that should be thrown around casually, but it’s the first one that came to mind as I left a performance of David Byrne’s American Utopia that was interrupted by several spontaneous standing ovations-not to mention audience members dancing at their seats, with the titular singer/songwriter’s encouragement.”
– By Elysa Gardner for the New York Stage Review, in October 2019.
