Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:00am
All things go… to Broadway.
The impressionistic dance piece Illinoise makes its way to the Main Stem, as performances begin tomorrow night (April 24) at the St. James Theatre following a well-received run last month at the Park Avenue Armory. In a rare move, the musical is bypassing the traditional preview period to sneak into Tony Awards consideration at the last minute; the matinee on the 24th will be their opening night performance, and reviews will be published on April 26 at 1 PM. Illinoise uses music from the 2005 Sufjan Stevens concept album Illinois and is built around an original story by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury; Peck also directs and choreographs. Featured dancers include Ben Cook, Gaby Diaz, Ricky Ubeda, and Ahmad Simmons; the band will be accompanied by live vocalists Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova, and Tasha Viets-VanLear. The onstage company also includes Kara Chan, Jeanette Delgado, Christine Flores, Rachel Lockhart, Brandt Martinez, Craig Salstein, Byron Tittle, and Alejandro Vargas. Illinoise runs through August 10.
“Based on the landmark Sufjan Stevens album, Illinoise is told through live music performed by an 11-member band, three vocalists and impressionistic choreography. As friends gather around a campfire, sharing stories of first love, grief, and growing up, director and choreographer Justin Peck and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury craft an experience that bursts with feeling.”
Who’s heading to the campfire?
Updated On: 4/23/24 at 12:00 AM
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