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David Byrne Headshot

David Byrne

Broadway: American Utopia (2019). Byrne works in a variety of mediums.

Date of Birth: May 14, 1952 (74)

Birth Place: Dumbarton, Dunbarstonshire, SCOTLAND

BIO

Broadway: American Utopia (2019). Byrne works in a variety of mediums. Born in Dumbarton, Scotland, he grew up in North America and was educated at art schools in Maryland and Rhode Island. Since leaving the Talking Heads, the band he co-founded in the 1970s, Byrne has released nine solo albums, most recently American Utopia (2018). Byrne has been honored with an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy awards, along with Obie, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel and the Theatre World awards for Here Lies Love.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Production, 2024
Ensemble [Replacement]
[Broadway]
Broadway Return Engagement, 2021
Guitar/Vocals

Productions

 
[West End, 2026]
Co-Creator
Choreographer
 
[West End, 2026]
Co-Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Orchestrations and Arrangements

Writing

Lyricist
Author
Composer
Book, Music, and Lyrics
Music, Lyrics
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist

Six Degrees of Broadway Beta

See how many degrees separate David Byrne from another Broadway star or creative.

David Byrne

David Byrne


TV Shows

Trying Times
[ 1987 ] Byron
The Simpsons
[ 2003-2012 ] David Byrne
Life & Beth
[ 2022 ] Dr. B

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

David Byrne, Here Lies Love


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Special Citations

David Byrne, American Utopia

Olivier Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Achievement in Music

David Byrne, Here Lies Love

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Music

David Byrne, Here Lies Love


winner
Obie Awards - 2013 - Music And Lyrics

David Byrne, Here Lies Love

News

Radiohead Musical HAMLET HAIL TO THE THIEF Cast and Band Set for London Premiere
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 3, 2026

Full casting and band lineup have been announced for the London premiere of HAMLET HAIL TO THE THIEF, set to run at the Barbican Theatre.
Jim James Releases WOWED OUT Album, to Launch Tour Nov. 28 in Louisville
by Rachel Stone - Sep 2, 2026

Jim James' fifth solo album, WOWED OUT, is out now. The My Morning Jacket frontman will begin a solo acoustic headline tour November 28 in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
BAM Fall 2026 Season to Feature Meshell Ndegeocello, Claudia Rankine & More
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 27, 2026

BAM's fall lineup will include Meshell Ndegeocello celebrating her album SYNONYM, Claudia Rankine discussing her book TRIAGE, and programs from Hanif Abdurraqib, Ross Gay, and Taylor Mac.
Jim James Shares LOST CHILD Single, Sets Solo Tour Starting Nov. 28
by Rachel Stone - Aug 25, 2026

Jim James released the single and video for "Lost Child" ahead of his solo album WOWED OUT, out Friday, August 28. His acoustic headline tour opens November 28 in Louisville, KY.
Sal Cataldi's TWO BASS HIT Quartet to Release Genre-Bridging Debut Album
by Rachel Stone - Aug 25, 2026

Guitarist Sal Cataldi's spinoff quartet TWO BASS HIT will release a self-titled digital album recorded live at Green Kill Sessions in Kingston, N.Y., blending jazz, dub and world music influences.
Olivia Rodrigo Releases "SERENA JOY" Globally Ahead of DAISY CHAIN FIELDS
by Rachel Stone - Aug 24, 2026

Olivia Rodrigo's new track followed an exclusive CD debut at Analog Records in Orange County, ahead of her sold-out Daisy Chain Fields festival in Irvine, California.
Photos: Nia Archives to Launch EMOTIONAL JUNGLIST World Tour, Playing Alexandra Palace Nov 26
by Rachel Stone - Aug 24, 2026

Nia Archives will tour Japan, North America, Europe, the UK and Australia starting in September, with a November 26 stop at London's Alexandra Palace and January dates in Melbourne and Sydney.
Luke Armstrong Releases Debut EP BOYS DON'T CRY, Produced by Daniel James
by Rachel Stone - Aug 21, 2026

Luke Armstrong has released his debut EP BOYS DON'T CRY via Paid Vacation Records and Virgin Music Group, produced by GRAMMY-nominated Daniel James and exploring identity, faith, and family amid conflict in Lebanon.
New Media Film Festival to Return for 18th Edition in Los Angeles
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2026

The festival will hold online programming followed by an in-person event in Los Angeles, continuing its focus on both classic film formats and emerging media like VR, AI, and Web3.
PLAYWRIGHTS' PLATFORM to Take Place at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2026

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park will present Playwrights' Platform, a live anthology of new short plays, on its outdoor Meadow Stage and in the Black Box Theater as part of its Annual Festival.
LEENALCHI to Perform at Pioneer Works With World Music Institute
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2026

Seoul-based alt-pop band LEENALCHI will perform at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn as part of World Music Institute's NEXT GEN series, celebrating the release of their debut EP, HERE COMES THAT CROW.
MUSIC IS INVISIBLE (PENTIMENTO VOLUME THREE) to Complete Jon Hassell Trilogy
by Rachel Stone - Aug 19, 2026

Ndeya, the label founded by the late Jon Hassell, will release previously unreleased music from the Fourth World pioneer, with the single BLUE BA-YA (EXCERPT) out now.
JO KOY: BLUE IN THE FACE to Premiere on Netflix September 2026
by Rachel Stone - Aug 19, 2026

Jo Koy's sixth stand-up special, JO KOY: BLUE IN THE FACE, filmed before a sold-out crowd in Stockton, California, will premiere globally on Netflix on September 19, 2026.
Luke Armstrong to Release Debut EP BOYS DON'T CRY
by Rachel Stone - Aug 12, 2026

Beirut-raised, LA-based artist Luke Armstrong will release his debut EP, produced by Daniel James, exploring identity, masculinity, and family amid conflict in the Middle East.
Film Review: DAVID BYRNE'S AMERICAN UTOPIA, In Cinemas
by Kat Mokrynski - Aug 4, 2026

Directed by Spike Lee, David Byrne’s American Utopia is a filmed version of David Byrne’s Broadway stage show, which itself is inspired by the record of the same name. The show ran twice on Broadway, first from 2019 to 2020 and then from 2021 to 2022. As someone who saw American Utopia ten times on Broadway, I was curious as to what the film could bring to a show I already loved, and ended up being very impressed by the results.
OPEN WORKS Festival Reveals Full Programming at Sheffield Theatres
by Stephi Wild - Jul 31, 2026

Sheffield Theatres has announced a full lineup for OPEN WORKS, a new festival featuring premieres, staged readings, and industry talks across the Playhouse, Montgomery Theatre, and Montgomery Studio.
Interview: 'There's No One Like David': Annie-B Parson on Choreographing DAVID BYRNE'S AMERICAN UTOPIA
by Kat Mokrynski - Jul 30, 2026

Recently, we had the chance to speak with Annie-B Parson, the choreographer of American Utopia. We discussed what first drew her to dance and choreography, what it was like to work with David Byrne and the musicians to create a fully choreographed concert and some of her favourite moments from the show.
Luke Armstrong Shares 'BackBack' Single Ahead of Debut EP 'Boys Don't Cry'
by Joshua Wright - Jul 22, 2026

Beirut-raised, LA-based artist Luke Armstrong released 'BackBack,' the final preview from his debut EP 'Boys Don't Cry,' produced by GRAMMY-nominated Daniel James and due via Paid Vacation Records / Virgin Music Group.
THEATER OF THE MIND to Host Accessible Performances During Disability Pride Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 15, 2026

Goodman Theatre's Theater of the Mind, created by David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar, will offer relaxed, ASL-interpreted, and audio-described performances in Chicago during Disability Pride Month.
Stockard Channing Will Direct KRAPP'S LAST TAPE at Latitude Festival
by Stephi Wild - Jul 9, 2026

Stockard Channing makes her directorial debut with Samuel Beckett's KRAPP'S LAST TAPE at Latitude Festival's 20th edition, starring David Westhead, before the production heads to Edinburgh Fringe.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has David Byrne been in?

David Byrne has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has David Byrne been in?

David Byrne has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has David Byrne been nominated for?

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Here Lies Love, Special Citations (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for American Utopia, Outstanding Achievement in Music (Olivier Awards) for Here Lies Love, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Here Lies Love and Music And Lyrics (Obie Awards) for Here Lies Love.

What awards has David Byrne won?

David Byrne received a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for American Utopia. He also won an Obie Award for Music and Lyrics for Here Lies Love.

How many shows has David Byrne written?

David Byrne has written 4 shows including The Catherine Wheel (Composer/Lyricist), Here Lies Love (Lyricist), Joan of Arc: Into the Fire (Book, Music, and Lyrics), American Utopia (Music, Lyrics).

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