Last week, American Utopia performer Tendayi Kuumba and experts Drs. Vinoo Alluri and Alejandro Lleras helped host Ruthie Fierberg take step back and welcome a broader perspective to problem-solving, beyond “What are the next steps to create change?” to “How do we find the next steps to create change?” 

The human brain is not a muscle, but it does need exercise—so to speak. To change the way we solve problems, we must change the way we approach problems. Change the very way we think. Actor and producer Salma Hayek had this same idea when she produced the 2014 animated film The Prophet, a movie adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s 1923 eponymous book. Hayek also believed: “We need a new generation that goes into the unknown and finds solutions that we have not seen or heard.” So this week, Ruthie recommends The Prophet as the companion piece to American Utopia—currently on Broadway through April 3, 2022.

Listen to David Byrne’s American Utopia on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music.

Get tickets to David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway.

Watch David Byrne’s American Utopia on HBOMax.

Watch the animated movie The Prophet.

Purchase the book The Prophet from your local independent bookstore.

Sign up for Ruthie’s monthly newsletter at ruthiefierberg.com.

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Ruthiefierberg.com 

IG: @whywetheater / T: @whywetheater

IG: @ruthiefierceberg / T: @RuthiesATrain

Why We Theater is a product of the Broadway Podcast Network produced by Alan Seales and edited by Derek Gunther. 

Our theme music is by Benjamin Velez. Hear more at BenjaminVelez.com.

Special thanks to Genesis Johnson, Leigh Silverman, Suzanne Chipkin, Wesley Birdsall, Elena Mayer, Patrick Taylor, and Dori Berinstein. 

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