ILLINOISE Reviews — Page 2

funny my friend said last night after seeing it: "I thought this was a musical?"

It'll be interesting if it gets nominated.....to me it fits the Best Special Theatrical event category that the Tony's discontinued.



blaxx said: "kurtal said: "RW3 said: "For clarity, are we considering the show to be a jukebox musical?"

By the broadest definition of jukebox musical, I guess. But I'd call it an album-length narrative dance show. "

If it wins Best Musical y'all gonna whine about it for decades like with Contact : Illinoise wasn't even a musical, bwaaaaah"

Updated On: 4/25/24 at 09:29 AM

I can only speak (this week) to what I saw at the Armory… but having seen all of this seasons musicals Illinoise is by far the best musical of the season. Stunning night.

dramamama611 said: "I have an absolutely silly question: How is this pronounced? With or without the 'S'. I've been assuming WITH, because of the inclusion of the E. (Ill-i-noise) But since the title refers to the state, maybe not.

Anyone know??"

It’s pronounced as written (ill-i-noise) and is an allusion to the cover art of Sufjan’s album Illinois (pronounced like the state), which says “Come on! Feel the Illinoise!”

dramamama611 said: "Excellent, thank you!



Does anyone think we will get a new recording? I've been listening to the original album, but would love to hear these voices again!"

I sure hope so, the orchestrations were really incredible.

Stay in your seats so you can experience all of the magic of the lighting and get a better view of the singers and band. You have excellent seats.

You’ll be fine. It’s a dance show and they only use downstage so you’ll have a perfect picture of the gorgeous lighting and the whole picture.

I saw this afternoon's matinee and thought everything about it was absolutely stunning. It's been a while since a show moved me that much. Beautiful work from everyone involved, from the dancers to the musicians to the vocalists to the designers, and a special shoutout to Jackie Sibblies Drury who I'm sure helped to shape the narrative as the co-bookwriter. They've really created something special here, and for my money it totally qualifies as a musical. Justin Peck's choreography and direction are spectacular and thrilling and so deeply felt.

For anyone wondering, I got tickets through TDF and my seats were left front mezz and I thought they were perfect. We were far back enough to take in the whole stage and the band and singers, but still close enough to see the dancers' facial expressions.

https://youtu.be/ZEW2wn2HcIo?si=QecyZd8SynLGwH7X

ElephantLoveMedley said: "Hate to be that person, but just curious how sightlines are for this production at the St. James. Eagerly excited for this next month, and I have tickets in the front mezz. Will I be fine up there or should I spring to upgrade to the orchestra?"

I sat at Row D at the Front Mezz and unfortunately I did not like the slope of the Saint James as even an above average height person obstructed my view of the down stage where all the dancers perform. But fortunately the next seat was empty and I have a clear view of the center stage and see their wondrous facial expressions. Also for those wondering I noticed the stage is quite high as you would need to crane your necks if you are in the first row. I sat in the first row at the Armory but the seats were placed farther from the stage and enjoyed that immensely.


Comparing Orchestra and Mezzanine, I enjoyed the facial expressions of the cast obviously more when I was near them at the Armory and there are many emotional dance duets in the show that i loved seeing up close but I still can enjoy the large group dancing which looked even grander when I was at the Mezzanine at the Saint James. The only thing that I think made it more emotional when I was sitting at the Mez is the sublime lighting design of this show. I think that added to the heart rendering emotion that I had even more watching it the second time. So both sights have advantages and both can give you equally enjoyable, heart wrenching night at the theater.


side shallow note - I think the disadvantage of being too close to the actors is seeing and getting distracted at how gorgeous Robbie Fairchild was. Even though he was mostly in the background I always seem to levitate and set my gaze to him. Damn I was swooning in the entirety of his Man of a steel solo! The one who replaced him on Broadway Brandt Martinez is gorgeous and equally talented as well.

Updated On: 4/25/24 at 11:07 PM