The Sufjan Stevens dance musical Illinoise is approaching its Broadway bow, with performances set to begin April 24 at the St. James Theatre. Opening night is the same evening, with critics' reviews released April 26. The strictly limited engagement will continue through August 10. Take a look at highlights from the musical in the video above.
The work is inspired by Stevens' album Illinois and features direction and choreography by Justin Peck (Carousel, West Side Story). The musical's story is by Peck and Pulitzer winner Jackie Sibblies Drury (Fairview). The production is set around a campfire as dancers, singers, and a live band lead audiences on an epic journey set to Stevens' music, arranged by Timo Andres. Read reviews for its Off-Broadway premiere at Park Avenue Armory here.
The dance ensemble for the Broadway bow will feature much of the performers from the show's earlier runs Off-Broadway and at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's The Yard. The company will include Yesenia Ayala (West Side Story), Kara Chan (Twyla Tharp Dance), Ben Cook (West Side Story), Gaby Diaz (So You Think You Can Dance?), Jeanette Delgado (West Side Story), Carlos Falu (West Side Story), Christine Flores (Dance Heginbotham), Jada German (Twyla Tharp Dance), Zachary Gonder (Pam Tanowitz Dance), Rachel Lockhart (Jacob's Pillow), Brandt Martinez (Aladdin), Dario Natarelli (Maestro), Tyrone Reese, Craig Salstein (West Side Story), Ahmad Simmons (Fosse/Verdon), Byron Tittle (Dorrance Dance), Ricky Ubeda (So You Think You Can Dance?), and Alejandro Vargas.
The company also includes featured vocalists Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova, and Tasha Viets-VanLear. Band members will be announced at a later date.
The creative team includes music director and supervisor Nathan Koci, music arranger and orchestrator Andres, scenic designer Adam Rigg, lighting designer Brandon Stirling Baker, sound designer Garth MacAleavey, costume designers Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung, prop designer Andrew Diaz, and mask designer Julian Crouch. Thomas Gates is production stage manager.
The work was co-commissioned by Fisher Center at Bard (where the piece made its world premiere in 2023), Park Avenue Armory, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Southbank Centre, TO Live, and Perelman Performing Arts Center. The show's Chicago run finished February 18.
Orin Wolf, John Styles, and David Binder are producing, in association with Seaview and Executive Producer Nate Koch.
Visit IllinoiseOnStage.com.
See pictures from the Chicago run of Illinoise below:
Company of Illinoise
Ricky Ubeda, Byron Tittle, Christine Flores, and Kara Chan in Illinoise
Shara Nova and Tasha Viets-VanLear in Illinoise
Ricky Ubeda and Ben Cook in Illinoise
Company of Illinoise
Elijah Lyons, Ricky Ubeda, and Ahmad Simmon in Illinoise
Gaby Diaz and Ben Cook in Illinoise
Company of Illinoise
