ILLINOISE Reviews — Page 10

I'm sure it'll depend if it wins the Tony Award, but I wonder if they've already considered transferring theaters in September?

everythingtaboo said: "ACL2006 said: "I'm sure it'll depend if it wins the Tony Award, but I wonder if they've already considered transferring theaters in September?"

I was wondering about that. If ATG/Jujamcyn isjust their landlord and don't have and money in the show, it would be nice if it could cleanly move to another theatre."

Their grosses are solid. Especially since they're only doing 7 shows a week.

Question probably for those who have seen it more than once or were familiar with the album before seeing it: I've been listening thru and The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us! was one of my favorite moments watching the show particularly the "we were in love" moment. That said when watching it in the theater I assumed they were referring to the NY Palisades as it's Henry dancing with Douglas after going to NY. I've since learned the Palisades "North of Savanna" is in Illinois. Does this mean

a) that Douglas went to Illinois with Henry

b) that they are trying to get the NY audience to think it's the NY palisades

or

c) Is it referencing the relationship with Carl in these earlier moments of the song?

d) is it a danceical that I'm not supposed to over analyze the lyrics to? 

I was lucky enough to see Zack Gonder on as Clark.   He is tall and that helped to exaggerate his lines and extensions.  Is he on a rotation or was it just a one shot deal?

Thanks for any info !

 

bwayobsessed said: "c) Is it referencingthe relationship with Carl in these earlier moments of the song?

d) is it a danceical that I'm not supposed to over analyze the lyrics to?"

My vote is for both of these! 

While I think your suggestion that he's describing Carl to Douglas makes sense, wouldn't the concept of the show lean more towards him describing Carl to his campfire friends?

 

I caught tonight's performance and had significantly different feelings depending on what part I was watching. 

Act 1, I thought was largely filler where they were sticking songs that didn't really service the main story. In the case of The Man of Metropolis, the execution was fun and clever enough, I didn't care. 

On the other hand, John Wayne Gacy Jr. was the low point of the show. I actually like the song on the original Sufjan album, but in the context of the story this show is telling, showing a serial killer in a clown outfit killing a victim felt pretty gross. That's the single worst song on the album to visualize so literally. 

In Act 2, when the show settled into the story it actually wanted to tell, it was profoundly moving. I never 100% understood how consummated or unrequited Henry's feelings for Carl were, but Henry seems almost as confused so it's fine. Showing how Henry, Carl, Shelby, and Douglas felt through dance was more viscerally impactful than exposition could have been. 

Speaking to an earlier question, my lottery ticket was Orchestra Front Left, F13. I couldn't see one of the singers and part of the band. I would not recommend the lottery if you want to prioritize an unobstructed view. 

How Broadway's 'Illinoise' Used Light to Tell Its Story 

https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/illinoise-lighting-designer-brandon-stirling-baker-1236007160

i saw it yesterday and while it has some striking moments, i dont quite get the hubbub. yes the choreography is stunning (and im sure technically incredible, i dont pretend to know of what i speak) but the show cant decide whether it wants to whisper metaphors at us (are any of these characters' names ever actually sung/spoken? henry and carl grew up together and maybe henry liked carl?) or present us with direct storylines tied to specific lyrics (the clown fiasco, sears tower).  I found myself getting comfortable with "each of these random individuals around a campfire are going to tell a story" just as we lurched into this specific tale where all the previous "characters" disappeared?

i can see the genius in much of this dont get me wrong but what works as a curioso off bway doesnt necessarily translate into an enormous theater. I was front row of the rear mezz which is a fine view but without any spoken word, i wish i was closer to see the performers faces.

ricky ubeda managed to cut through all of this and turn his dancing into a full-fledged dramatic performance as good as any other i saw this year, so theres that. and the male vocalist blew me away. the two of them in sync was magic. 

 

rachelfran said: "[...] The political piece was the low point for me - and I'm normally a very political person so sorry that was so disappointing .. guess it just didn't feel like it fit but I appreciate the show so much anyway. Glad I got to see it."

I'm glad you mentioned this, because it also felt very out of place for me. I've seen the Bard/Armory/Broadway iterations of it, and every time the audience laughed during that moment, dulling the underlying message it was trying to convey. It was too literal.

 

There's apparently a plan in place for this to transfer theaters if it wins the Tony Award.

JSquared2 said: "rachelfran said: "saw the Saturday matinee - bought my ticket on tdf (tix still avail there) and was in row L center orchestra -- really a perfect seat. Having lost several people since Oct 2022 could have done w/a trigger warning but otherwise was moved by this show and thought it was beautiful ... The political piece was the low point for me - and I'm normally a very political person so sorry that was so disappointing .. guess it just didn't feel like it fit but I appreciate the show so much anyway. Glad I got to see it."



You lost me at "trigger warning". Sigh."

 

Yeah -- I used to roll my eyes at that expression too but then my husband of 32 years died of cancer and a best friend from high school died of suicide and my perspective changed.

 

 

inception said: "ElephantLoveMedley said: "This was my favorite musical of the season and I’m rooting for it for Best Musical, but I agree the random political story was easily the weak point (in an otherwise universally strong and powerful show)."

Might someone be able to put in spoilers what that story is?"

There's a segment early in the show underscored by They Are Night Zombies!  from the album, and