AMERICAN UTOPIA- Broadway?

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 5:50pm

I think its time for broadway to take a one year hiatus and figure out wtf has been going on. I am so dissaponted in what its become. Its a tourist trap now, nothing new, nothing innovative. The only shows that are great are REVIVALS, and some plays, its time to stop producing crap and actually care about the work thats being put out and not just to get money. UGH.



https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/David-Byrne-Eyes-Broadway-With-American-Utopia-Album-20181021

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 7:16pm

Dude, Broadway's been a tourist trap since we made Andrew Lloyd Webber a millionaire. You want art for the sake of art, go to Chicago.

[\_(•_•)_/]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 7:29pm

Literally the whole point of broadway is to make a profit.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 7:34pm

as it always has been, broadway has had the good the bad and the ugly. If you don like what's on offer, go elsewhere. I do. I see my share of Broadway shows (most of them actually) but I also see over a hundred shows a year off and off off broadway. It is silly to speak in generalities. what's great on broadway is really great, always has been, hopefully always will be. there are no rules.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 7:59pm

When was bway ever innovative? They cater to the audience. Innovation seldom leads to the bank.

It is no more nor less innovative then it ever has been.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 8:03pm

FFS, get a grip.

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 8:15pm

American Utopia would be more exciting/innovating than the asinine The Prom, the pandering Mean Girls, the morally ingrevious Dear Evan Sociopath, Anastasia that looks like it was sponsored by Party City, Gorilla Puppet, Kinky B(lah)oots, or Pretty Mediocre Woman.  

At least American Utopia would be something different. Have you guys actually heard the album?  It's kinda beautiful and I think it could be really really exciting on stage. 

Updated On: 10/21/18 at 08:15 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/21/18 at 10:13pm

Other than the OP, did anyone else gave an issue with this?

[Armie3]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 6:00am

I'm not sure if the OP is for or against American Utopia coming to Broadway.

Anyway...........

It is already a unique concert/ stage show, and has been touring around the world to rave reviews- it would make a great addition to Broadway, I'm all for it.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 7:19am

Bwayfan292 said: "I think its time for broadway to take a one year hiatus and figure out wtf has been going on. I am so dissaponted in what its become. Its a tourist trap now, nothing new, nothing innovative. The only shows that are great are REVIVALS, and some plays, its time to stop producing crap and actually care about the work thats being put out and not just to get money. UGH."

Nothing says crass commercialism like a David Byrne concept album being turned into a musical?!?

[Armie3]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 7:36am

I don't think the album is being turned into a musical...his current touring show is ready for Broadway as is. It takes in his current stuff and all the way back to Talking Heads. Read this Forbes article for more info.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimryan1/2018/06/03/american-utopia-tour-david-byrne-the-talking-heads-chicago-auditorium-theatre/#148996c63adf

"On night one of three in Chicago, "American Utopia" began with Byrne on stage sitting alone in a chair, behind a desk, holding in his hand a brain. The show started with the final song from his latest album, "Here" ...As the show begins, a wall of lights rises up alongside each side of the stage and behind it, running from the floor up to the top of the stage, giving the ironic visual impression of almost trapping the performers inside a box. Over the course of those first three songs, additional vocalists and musicians begin making their way on to the stage. The number of performers swelled to eight during "Lazy" and a dozen during "I Zimbra"...In a live music environment where technology has enabled the performer to cut many a corner, Byrne was having none of it. "Everything you hear is coming from this stage, being played by these brilliant musicians," he said Friday night on stage in Chicago."

 

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 7:41am

Bwayfan292 said: "I think its time for broadway to take a one year hiatus and figure out wtf has been going on."

Ran it by them. They declined. Sorry.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 9:21am

Armie3 said: "I don't think the album is being turned into a musical...his current touring show is ready for Broadway as is. It takes in his current stuff and all the way back to Talking Heads. Read this Forbes article for more info."

No need, I already saw the tour. But in the Guardian interview that is prompting all of this, it says: "there has been interest from the West End and Broadway in turning the American Utopia show into something more permanent. Byrne is clearly intrigued: he would need to create a narrative arc, to connect the songs, but that doesn’t feel impossible."

So, it doesn't seem like just plopping the tour down, but making it have more story-based.

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 9:55am

I've said for years i wouldnt be surprised if a Talking Heads musical eventually happened. 

[Armie3]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 10:23am

Haterobics, I wasn't speaking only to you, but I guess what I should have said is there is no need to add a narrative arc - it's suitable in its current format...wouldn't you say? I read the Guardian article, it seems like David is concentrating on the tour right now and has barely considered the prospect of a Broadway show.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/22/18 at 10:40am

Armie3 said: "Haterobics, I wasn't speaking only to you, but I guess what I should have said is there isno needto add a narrative arc - it's suitable in its current format...wouldn't you say? I read the Guardian article, it seems like David is concentrating on the tour right now and has barely considered the prospect of a Broadway show."

Well, the show is definitely theatrical, but in its current form, it would still be a David Byrne concert in a Broadway theater. Whereas the scant clues from the Guardian article seem to indicate he wants to flesh it out beyond that? But yeah, since he is in the middle of a global tour, I doubt this is top of mind.