David Byrne’s American Utopia Plays on Broadway’s at St. James Theatre
The same as it ever was! That was definitely the vibe when watching
David Byrne’s American Utopia which returned to Broadway this fall at the St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street) September 17, 2021.
The highly acclaimed production features David Byrne with returning band members 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.
David Byrne said, “It is with great pleasure that finally, after a year+ like no other, I can announce that our show is coming back to Broadway. You who kept the faith, who held on to your tickets, well, you knew this would happen eventually! September 17 — remount previews begin. We’re moving to the St. James Theatre — just down 44th Street from the Hudson, where we were before. The stage is a little wider and the capacity is a little bigger — I guess we did alright! Seriously, New York is back, and given all we’ve witnessed, felt and experienced, it is obvious to me that no one wants to go back to a world with EVERYTHING the way it was — we have an opportunity for a new world here. See you there.”
The audience listened with great excitement with this songs being performed, but the true Talking Heads fans went 0ut of their minds when Byrne performed Once in a Lifetime and even more when he belted out the top 10 hit “Burning Down The House.”
Although there was no need to for the Fire Department to be called, there was a tremendous amount of heat radiating from the stage to the audience. American Utopia is an upbeat, exhilarating, and enjoyable 100 minute ride from beginning to end. David Byrne and his band truly deliver. It is definitely a must-see.
Academy Award®-winning director Spike Lee’s acclaimed filmed version of David Byrne’s American Utopia made its world premiere opening the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival and is currently streaming on HBO Max. The film has been called “a life-affirming, euphoria-producing, soul-energizing sing-along protest film that’s asking us to rise up against our own complacency”
