Watch the full trailer for Spike Lee’s Film Adaptation of “David Byrne’s American Utopia”

With Broadway shutdown until early 2021, one smash hit will be finding its way to HBO Max this fall. Spike Lee’s film adaptation of the acclaimed David Byrne’s American Utopia concert is set for October 17. A first-look trailer was released in August and now the full trailer has been shared.

David Byrne’s American Utopia was a huge success at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre from October 2019 through February 2020, where the show broke theater box-office records. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown of the music industry across the country, was planned to return for a second engagement in fall of 2020.

american utopia

The one-of-a-kind film by Oscar and Emmy-winner Spike Lee was recorded during at Hudson Theatre, with Byrne joined by an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe. Bryne invites audiences into a joyous dreamworld where human connection, self-evolution, and social justice are paramount.

American Utopia includes both old and new songs from Byrne, including his Talking Heads and solo hits, among them “Burning Down the House,” “Life During Wartime,” “This Must Be the Place,” “Road to Nowhere” and “Everybody’s Coming To My House,” as well as selections from the 2018 album that gave the show its title. Choreographer Annie-B Parson tapped into Bryne’s career-long devotion to idiosyncratic movement and quirky gestures to create a truly fresh ensemble performance.

“David Byrne’s American Utopia is a uniquely transformative experience and a perfect example of how entertainment can bring us together during these challenging times. Spike’s brilliant direction adds a level of intimacy to this powerful performance, and we’re so thrilled to share this groundbreaking show with our audience.”

Nina Rosenstein, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming

American Utopia’s Broadway show had planned to return to Broadway starting September 18, and recently was announced to be released as a book as well.

HBO will air the special event on October 17 at 8pm, in partnership with Participant, River Road Entertainment and Warner Music Entertainment. The film is produced by David Byrne’s Todomundo and Lee’s Forty Acres and a Mule Filmworks production companies.

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