Illinoise is a 2023 dance revue musical with music and lyrics by Sufjan Stevens and an original story by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury. The musical was inspired by Stevens' 2005 album Illinois. The show is directed and choreographed by Peck with orchestrations of Stevens' music done by Timo Andres. The show debuted on Broadway in April 2024 at the St. James Theatre.[1]
| Illinoise | |
|---|---|
| A New Musical | |
 Broadway Promotional Poster | |
| Music | Sufjan Stevens |
| Lyrics | Sufjan Stevens |
| Book | Justin Peck Jackie Sibblies Drury |
| Basis | Illinois by Sufjan Stevens |
| Premiere | June 23, 2023: Fisher Center |
| Productions | 2023 Bard College 2024 Chicago 2024 Off-Broadway 2024 Broadway |
Production history edit
Bard College (2023) edit
The musical had its world premiere at the Fisher Center at Bard College with a performance run of June 23 until July 2, 2023 during the Bard SummerScape.[2]
Chicago (2024) edit
The show was next staged at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater with performance dates of January 28 through February 18, 2024.[3]
Off-Broadway (2024) edit
The show made its New York premiere Off-Broadway at the Park Avenue Armory with performance dates of March 2, 2024 through March 26, 2024.[4]
Broadway (2024) edit
In March 2024, it was announced the show would transfer to Broadway for the 2023–24 season. The show opened on April 24, 2024 at the St. James Theatre. It is scheduled to play a limited engagement through August 10, 2024. Set design is by Adam Rigg, lighting design by Brandon Stirling Baker, and costume design by Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung. Adriana Pierce serves as associate choreographer to Justin Peck.[5][6][7]
Cast and characters edit
| Character | Bard College[8] | Chicago[3] | Off-Broadway[9] | Broadway[10] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | |||
| Clark | Brandt Martinez | Robert Fairchild | Brandt Martinez | |
| Henry | Ricky Ubeda | |||
| Jo Daviess | Jeanette Delgado | |||
| Shelby | Gaby Diaz | |||
| Marion | Kara Chan | |||
| Douglas | Ahmad Simmons | |||
| Cass | Byron Tittle | |||
| Morgan | Jennifer Florentino | Rachel Lockhart | ||
| Boone | Craig Salstein | |||
| Carl | Ben Cook | |||
| Wayne | Jonathan Fahoury | Alejandro Vargas | ||
| Knox | Tilly Evans-Krueger | Christine Flores | ||
| Barsine (vocalist) | Shara Nova | |||
| Nacna (vocalist) | Tasha | |||
| Arctiini (vocalist) | Tariq al-Sabir | Elijah Lyons | ||
Characters are named after counties located in Illinois.[11]
Musical numbers edit
- "Prologue (or, A Conjuction of Drones...)"
Act I
- "Three Stars (or, Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois)"
- "The Long Hike"
- "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!"
- "a story about Jacksonville"
- "a story about Zombies"
- "a story about John Wayne Gacy, Jr."
- "a story about The Man of Metropolis"
Act II
- "Decatur"
- "Chicago"
- "To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament"
- "Casimir Pulaski Day"
- "Prairie Fire That Wanders About"
- "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!"
- "In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth"
- "The Seer's Tower"
- "A Conjunction of Drones, again"
Act III
- "Chicago (reprise)"
- "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders"
- "Epilogue (or, Riffs and Variations...and Out of Egypt...)"
Awards and nominations edit
2024 Off Broadway production edit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Pending | |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Ricky Ubeda | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Ben Cook | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Timo Andres | Pending | ||
| Outstanding Choreography (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Justin Peck | Pending | ||
References edit
- ^ Ryzik, Melena (February 28, 2024). "In Justin Peck's 'Illinoise', Dance On and Feel It". The New York Times.
- ^ "New Musical Illinois by Jackie Sibblies Drury, Justin Peck, and Sufjan Stevens to Make World Premiere | Playbill".
- ^ a b "Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Illinoise". www.chicagoshakes.com.
- ^ "Illinoise : Program & Events". Park Avenue Armory.
- ^ Evans, Greg (March 19, 2024). "Sufjan Stevens Musical 'Illinoise' Heading To Broadway As Late-Season Entry In Crowded Spring". Deadline.
- ^ Helfand, Zach (February 5, 2024). ""Illinoise," a Three-Way Mashup, at the Armory". The New Yorker.
- ^ "Vocalists of dance musical 'Illinoise' will repeat performances on Broadway". Broadway News. April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Illinois". Fisher Center at Bard. August 16, 2023.
- ^ "Cast and More Details Announced for Illinoise at Park Avenue Armory - TheaterMania.com". 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
- ^ "CAST & CREATIVES". ILLINOISE A New Broadway Musical. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
- ^ [1]
