Spike Lee's Filmed Version of David Byrne's American Utopia to Air on HBO

Though Broadway theaters remain shut down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, fans will be able to catch David Byrne's American Utopia later this year. As previously announced, Oscar winner Spike Lee filmed the Broadway show during its run at the Hudson Theatre. HBO is set to present the filmed version later this year. An exact date has not yet been announced.

American Utopia, which features Byrne sharing the spotlight with a diverse ensemble of 11 musical artists from around the globe, first arrived on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre on October 20, 2019. The show consistently sold out the 961-seat Hudson Theatre, recouping its $4 million investment after only 10 weeks and broke the theater’s box-office record in February. It received multiple extensions and concluded its run on February 16, 2020.

“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,” Nina Rosenstein, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming said in a statement. “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.”

The show had a planned return to Broadway from September 18 through January 17, 2021. It will also be released as a book.