VIA PRESS RELEASE | Iconic Events Releasing, Participant, River Road Entertainment, Warner Music Entertainment, and HBO Entertainment announced today the theatrical debut of the Emmy®-nominated feature David Byrne’s American Utopia, coming to movie theaters nationwide for a special, one-night-only theatrical event on Wednesday, September 15th, 2021. These unique theatrical events will also include an introduction by David Byrne, as well as a never-before-seen conversation with Byrne and director Spike Lee.
Directed by Oscar® and Emmy® award-winning director Spike Lee and produced by 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, Todomundo, and RadicalMedia, the one-of-a-kind, dynamic special gives moviegoing audiences nationwide access to Byrne’s electrifying Broadway show that played to sold-out, record-breaking audiences during its original 2019-2020 Broadway run and returns to Broadway beginning September 17, 2021 at the St. James Theatre. Joined by 11 musical artists from around the world, Academy®, Grammy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning musician David Byrne (Talking Heads) performs songs from his 2018 album of the same name, songs from Talking Heads, and from his solo career.
The Emmy®-nominated HBO Special features 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, all of whom will reunite with Byrne on Broadway this fall. The production was recently named recipient of a Special Tony Award. The original American Utopia album, as well as the Broadway cast recording, were released on Warner Music Group’s Nonesuch Records.
“David Byrne’s American Utopia is an ecstatic and unifying celebration of music and community,” said Iconic CMO Steven Menkin. “Iconic Events Releasing is thrilled to bring American Utopia to movie theaters for the first time so that fans across the country can gather together to experience this must-see, must-hear musical theater event on the big screen.”
“American Utopia was initially released during an unprecedented moment in history, inspiring audiences to not just rejoice in music and dance but also participate as citizens in our democracy,” said David Linde, CEO of Participant. “Almost a year later and fresh off of a celebratory screening to close out the Cannes Film Festival, we’re so excited that audiences can come together for the first time and relive the magic of Spike, David, and the band in movie theaters.”
