This week, Jared Bowen takes us to the new Peabody Essex Museum, reviews Nixons Nixon at New Repertory Theatre, and breaks down the pre-Broadway run of David Byrnes American Utopia.

The Peabody Essex Museum opens a new wing and garden to the public with free admission on Sept. 28 and 29.

Aislinn Weidele, courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum

The Peabody Essex Museum is expanding its footprint in Salem with a new, 40,000 square foot wing and 5,000 square foot garden. The new wing features three floors of dedicated gallery space highlighting the museum's permanent collections in maritime art, Asian export art, and fashion and design. Outside, a new garden gives viewers the chance to experience local and imported plants as well as a confluence fountain that flows through the center of the garden.

It's a whole new adventure, says Peabody Essex Curator Lynda Hartigan. It's an opportunity for the museum to share the incredible richness of its many facets of its collection. The museum opens its new wing to the public on Sept. 28 and 29. Admission is free for the day.

Nixons Nixon, presented by New Repertory Theatre through Oct. 6

Andrew Brilliant/Brilliant Pictures, courtesy of New Repertory Theatre

Spend a boozy night at the White House in New Repertory Theatres Nixons Nixon. The play takes place on the eve of President Richard Nixons resignation when he invites his Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, to the White House for a closed-door meeting. The details of which have never been revealed, but here theyre imagined by playwright Russell Lees. Written in 1996, Nixons Nixon paints a humorous and compelling picture of a moment in history that feels more resonant today than ever before.

When you have those momentous times, Lees said, that's when character comes out when your innermost, deepest feelings and thoughts and concerns will rise to the surface.

Here youll find two of Bostons most esteemed actors taking the stage, says Jared. Jeremiah Kissel as Nixon delivers a ferocious performance finding the wild incomprehension of a trapped political animal.

David Byrnes American Utopia, presented at the Emerson Colonial Theatre through Sept. 28

Matthew Murphy, courtesy of Emerson Colonial Theatre

The Emerson Colonial Theatre hosts the pre-Broadway run of David Byrnes American Utopia. As frontman of the band Talking Heads and creator of the rock musical Here Lies Love, David Byrne is known for his innovative music projects. In his new stage show David Byrnes American Utopia, Byrne strips away the conventional clutter of a musical performance by removing everything from the stage but the musicians themselves, who perform new songs alongside Byrnes classic hits all while barefoot.

Beautiful, intellectual and moving, David Byrnes American Utopia is all that youd anticipate from the brilliant Byrne, says Jared. And as the title might suggest, theres an abundance of sheer joy here, too.

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Arts This Week: The New Peabody Essex Museum, 'Nixon's Nixon,' And 'David Byrne's American Utopia' - wgbh.org