Illinoise is a 2023 dance revue[1] 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 musical follows some friends relating stories around a campfire about their childhoods and growing up; a newcomer to the group, Henry, finally shares how being gay affected his early relationships and friendships.
| 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 |
After a summer festival premiere, regional production and off-Broadway tryout, the show debuted on Broadway in April 2024 at the St. James Theatre; these productions have all been directed and choreographed by Peck.[2] Reviews on Broadway were positive,[3] and Illinoise was nominated for four Tony Awards, winning one for Peck's choreography.
Production history
editBard College (2023)
editThe musical, originally titled Illinois, premiered at the Fisher Center at Bard College, running from June 23 until July 2, 2023, during the Bard SummerScape. Direction and choreography were by Justin Peck.[4][5]
Chicago (2024)
editThe show was next staged at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater from January 28 to February 18, 2024, Peck continued as director and choreographer.[6]
Off-Broadway (2024)
editIllinoise opened in New York off-Broadway at the Park Avenue Armory on March 2, 2024, and closed on March 26, 2024, with Peck at the helm. Orchestrations were by Timo Andres.[7]
Broadway (2024)
editThe production transferred to the St. James Theatre on Broadway on April 24, 2024. It is scheduled to play a limited engagement through August 10, 2024. Peck directed and choreographed; set design is by Adam Rigg, with lighting by Brandon Stirling Baker and costumes by Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung.[8][9] The productionl received four nominations at the 77th Tony Awards, including Best Musical,[10] winning one for Best Choreography for Peck.[11]
Cast and characters
edit| Character | Chicago[6] | Off-Broadway[12] | Broadway[13] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | ||
| Clark | Robert Fairchild | Brandt Martinez | |
| Henry | Ricky Ubeda | ||
| Jo Daviess | Jeanette Delgado | ||
| Shelby | Gaby Diaz | ||
| Marion | Kara Chan | ||
| Douglas | Ahmad Simmons | ||
| Cass | Byron Tittle | ||
| Morgan | Rachel Lockhart | ||
| Boone | Craig Salstein | ||
| Carl | Ben Cook | ||
| Wayne | Alejandro Vargas | ||
| Knox | Christine Flores | ||
| Barsine (vocalist) | Shara Nova | ||
| Nacna (vocalist) | Tasha | ||
| Arctiini (vocalist) | Elijah Lyons | ||
Characters are named after counties located in Illinois,[14] and the vocalists are named after moth classifications, Barsine, Nacna and Arctiini, and costumed to represent moths.[15]
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| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Drama League Awards[16] | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Nominated | |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards[17] | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Ricky Ubeda | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Ben Cook | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Timo Andres | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Choreography (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Justin Peck | Won | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Ricky Ubeda | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Choreography | Justin Peck | Won | ||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | Timo Andres | Nominated | ||
| Tony Awards | Best Musical | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Brandon Stirling Baker | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Justin Peck | Won | ||
| Best Orchestrations | Timo Andres | Nominated | ||
References
edit- ^ Birenboim, Katie. "Let’s Dance, with Ixchel Cuellar", Arts Journal, May 2, 2024
- ^ Ryzik, Melena (February 28, 2024). "In Justin Peck's 'Illinoise', Dance On and Feel It". The New York Times.
- ^ Rosky, Nicole. "Review Roundup: Illinoise Arrives on Broadway", BroadwayWorld, April 26, 2024
- ^ "New Musical Illinois by Jackie Sibblies Drury, Justin Peck, and Sufjan Stevens to Make World Premiere | Playbill".
- ^ "Illinois". Fisher Center at Bard. August 16, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Vocalists of dance musical 'Illinoise' will repeat performances on Broadway". Broadway News. April 5, 2024.
- ^ Evans, Greg. "Tony Award Nominations: Hell’s Kitchen, Sterophonic Lead With 13", Deadline.com, April 30, 2024
- ^ Sarmiento, Isabella Gomez. "Tony Awards 2024: The complete list of winners", NPR, June 16, 2024
- ^ "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]
- ^ Hofler, Robert. "Illinoise Broadway Review: What Teenagers and Moths Have in Common", The Wrap, April 26, 2024
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (2024-04-22). "2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Awards. Playbill. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (2024-04-23). "Dead Outlaw Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Read the Full List". Awards. Playbill. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
