American Utopia
One hour and 40 minutes, with no intermission
American Utopia - 2020 Broadway History , Info & More
Hudson Theatre (Broadway)
141 W. 44th St. New York, NY
David Byrne's American Utopia delivers "an experience unlike anything else" (Billboard) and marks a major cultural milestone in the worlds of music and theater. Innovative pop/rock icon David Byrne (Talking Heads, Here Lies Love) shares the spotlight with a diverse ensemble of 11 musical artists from around the globe.
Together with production consultant Alex Timbers and choreographer Annie-B Parson (his collaborators on Here Lies Love), Byrne and ensemble deliver "a marvel of staging and motion" (Chicago Tribune) that's as surprisingly poignant as it is supremely funky. Don't miss this "thought-provoking example of the power of live music" (Forbes).
American Utopia began as an album that David Byrne released on Nonesuch Records in March 2018. The recording was his first to reach number 1 on the Album Chart and was also his first to reach the Top Five on the Billboard 200 chart. The theatrical concert, which includes songs from American Utopia along with songs from Talking Heads and his solo career, played more than 150 dates in 27countries over nine months in 2018.
American Utopia - 2020 - Broadway Cast
PREVIEW American Utopia - 2020 - Broadway
Photos
Videos
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR American Utopia
David Byrne's 'American Utopia': Theater Review
9 / 10
Teaming up with a crew of 11 prodigiously talented and hard-working musicians, backup singers and dancers of diverse ages and ethnicities, Byrne gathers a vibrant community onstage, over which he presides as part professor, part preacher, part partying proletarian. The sheer jubilation being transmitted by the performers, not to mention the dynamic staging, seem to demand a new kind of sensory intake. It's less a concert than a participatory religious experience, honoring the primal pleasures of music, dance and song as collective celebration, a rite to be savored more than ever in dark times.
American Utopia
8 / 10
The 100-minute performance is a pretty stripped-down affair, and yet it is consistently eye- as well as ear-filling. Byrne and his 11 musician-cohorts, all dressed in identical, monochromatic gray, are the entirety of the stage furnishings, their bare feet signaling a serendipity and lack of pretense. (Rob Sinclair's gorgeous lighting design is a particular enhancing factor.) 'Us and you: That's what this show is,' Byrne declares at one point, explaining how he sought a production with as few artificial barriers as possible between the instrumentalists and the audience.
by Nicole Rosky - March 23, 2020
David Byrne's American Utopia, which is scheduled to return to Broadway in the fall, will be adapted in to a book, according to the Associated Press. Byrne will work with author and illustrator Maira Kalman, who also collaborated with him on the stage production.
by Stephi Wild - February 16, 2020
David Byrne's American Utopia is headed back to Broadway this fall!
by Stephi Wild - February 16, 2020
David Byrne's American Utopia plays its final Broadway performance tonight, February 16. Its limited run officially opened at the Hudson Theatre on October 20.
by A.A. Cristi - January 31, 2020
Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee is signed on to direct a filmed version of the acclaimed Broadway show, David Byrne's American Utopia.
by Nicole Rosky - January 30, 2020
David Byrne, currently burning down the house on Broadway in David Byrne's American Utopia, was just honored with one of Sardi's legendary portraits. BroadwayWorld is taking you inside the special event below!
by Kaitlin Milligan - January 7, 2020
David Byrne stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers on Monday night to talk about his show American Utopia. He shares with Meyers the surprises that have come with performing on Broadway and engaging with audiences.
by Stephi Wild - January 5, 2020
David Byrne was featured on this morning's episode of CBS Sunday Morning. His Broadway show American Utopia was just one of many topics the performer covered.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 26, 2019
The critically acclaimed David Byrne's American Utopia has added three performances on Monday, December 30 at 8pm, Tuesday, February 4 at 8pm and Tuesday, February 11 at 8pm. The show opened to rave reviews on October 20 and must close Sunday, February 16 at the intimate Hudson Theatre on Broadway.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 20, 2019
Once in awhile, various things one has been working on for years have an opportunity to converge, separate strands meet, and it all falls into place. As if they'd always been meant to come together. When I recorded the songs for my American Utopia album, it occurred to me that they would be exciting to play livea?"and I realized that a lot of my older material would fit right in. I imagined a live showa?? I pictured a lot of drummers, a kind of drumline/samba school/second line, that would create the rhythms. I had this vision of how exciting that would be, both for me and for an audience. Now as I bring that vision to Broadway, I want you to join me!
by Kaitlin Milligan - November 20, 2019
On last night's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, David Byrne gives a special performance of 'Road to Nowhere' with the cast of the Broadway musical David Byrne's American Utopia for the audience.
by A.A. Cristi - November 7, 2019
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts Off-Center is excited to announce the world premiere immersive production, Theater of the Mind, coming to Denver in August 2020 co-created by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and writer Mala Gaonkar.
by Kaitlin Milligan - October 23, 2019
Last night, David Byrne, who's show American Utopia is currently on Broadway, performed the song 'One Fine Day' with The Brooklyn Youth Chorus the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
by Julie Musbach - October 23, 2019
The critically acclaimed David Byrne's American Utopia has been extended by popular demand. Originally scheduled to run through January 19, the show opened to rave reviews on October 20 and will now play through Sunday, February 16 when it must close at the intimate Hudson Theatre on Broadway.
by Stephi Wild - October 22, 2019
The cast album for the critically acclaimed Broadway production of David Byrne's American Utopia, has been released today, with music and lyrics by David Byrne. It is available now via the Nonesuch Store, iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, and other digital service providers. The two-CD version will be released on November 22 and is available to pre-order in the Nonesuch Store; a vinyl edition will be available this winter. The cast recording track list is below.
by TV - Opening Night Special - October 21, 2019
David Byrne's American Utopia just celebrated opening night yesterday, October 20 at the intimate Hudson Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and we're taking you inside the festivities below!
by Jennifer Broski - October 21, 2019
David Byrne's American Utopia just celebrated opening night yesterday, October 20 at the intimate Hudson Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and we're taking you to the star-studded red carpet below!
by Jennifer Broski - October 21, 2019
David Byrne's American Utopia just celebrated opening night yesterday, October 20 at the intimate Hudson Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and we're taking you inside the festivities below!
American Utopia History
Other Productions of American Utopia
| 2021 | Broadway |
Broadway Return Engagement Broadway |
Videos