Sufjan Stevens & Justin Peck's "Illinois"- Page 2

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/24/23 at 9:59am

I’ll be there tomorrow and will report back.

[jerseygurl]

Posted: 6/25/23 at 7:42pm

I was there this afternoon. Found it extraordinary. A teams on every level. Performance, music, dance, design.

The audience roared.

Quibbles...some work to do dramaturgically (achievable) and finding a creative way to promote this theatre/dance hybrid.

There's magic and chemistry (and a damn lot of hard work).

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/25/23 at 8:15pm

Okay, still gathering my thoughts, but I’m ready to share. This isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely beautiful. It starts with friends sitting around a campfire and many of them tell stories which are the songs of the Sufjan album. The John Wayne Gacy number didn’t work for me, but I loved the others. Those are stellar dancers on that stage and Ricky Ubeda stood out in one particularly heartbreaking dance. I also loved the Man of Metropolis number. The dancing was a mix of so many styles, but they all worked beautifully together. 

The songs are sung by 3 vocalists on a raised platform which is where the orchestra also sits. I’d never been to this venue, and every seat seems like a good one. I’d happily return.

Before the show, there was a talk with Justin Peck. He mentioned that he’d been trying to get this made for about 10 years, so it really seems like a labor of love. He said Sufjan didn’t want to revisit his own experiences writing it and gave him freedom, so it doesn’t seem like he’s been immersed in this in the same way Peck has been. I don’t know where in the city it would find a home, but I hope it does.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/25/23 at 11:21pm

So it’s more of a “Movin Out” style show?

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 6:07am

RippedMan said: "So it’s more of a “Movin Out” style show?"

Yes, that’s a good comparison.

[raddersons]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 7:36am

I was there Friday. Dance-theater with a live band seems to sum it up pretty well. Since most of the songs are so specific in their lyrics, giving them individual storytellers and expanding on the themes through dance works really well. The first half is one-off stories, the second half is an extended story that crosses about 10 songs. This album was huge for me when I was understanding my own music taste so just hearing it live was extraordinary, but the dance also added an element of emotional depth that just worked. I agree there’s a little dramaturgy to be done, but considering this is the first iteration it’s in fantastic shape.

I can’t see this going to Broadway but I can absolutely see an extended run at a large off broadway house like City Center, The Shed, or the new WTC theater.

[EvanHansen]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 9:12am

PAC NYC's Artistic Director Bill Rauch is thanked in the program, so it's likely headed there. 

[kurtal]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 1:54pm

I saw this on Sunday and will echo the praise.  I think they did a beautiful job adapting the music into narrative dance while not messing with the music much at all.  Also agreed that a few of the numbers need some more work (Zombies in particular).  Man of Steel was phenomenal.  Ricky Ubeda was great as the lead.  I think they could incorporate the vocalists a little bit more -- maybe five voices instead of three -- and maybe have them a little more visible?  

It's playing in Chicago in January, so I imagine they'll keep working on it, and Peck said that there are some scenes and transitions that they are still playing with.  I think this absolutely could have a life in NYC and maybe even on Broadway, but only after a successful run off Broadway.  I agree that The Shed, PAC, BAM are all the right types of venues for a run here.  I'd expect it to show up in one of their 24-25 seasons.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 2:07pm

What was the run time?

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 2:10pm

Hour and a half

[schubox]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 6:39pm

kurtal said: "I saw this on Sunday and will echo the praise. I think they did a beautiful job adapting the music into narrative dance while not messing with the music much at all. Also agreed that a few of the numbers need some more work (Zombies in particular). Man of Steel was phenomenal. Ricky Ubeda was great as the lead. I think they could incorporate the vocalists a little bit more -- maybe five voices instead of three -- and maybe have them a little more visible?

It's playing in Chicago in January, so I imagine they'll keep working on it, and Peck said that there are some scenes and transitions that they are still playing with. I think this absolutely could have a life in NYC and maybe even on Broadway, but only after a successful run off Broadway. I agree that The Shed, PAC, BAM are all the right types of venues for a run here. I'd expect it to show up in one of their 24-25 seasons."

Are there any firm details on the Chicago thing in January?

[JasonC3]

Posted: 6/26/23 at 7:05pm

“Illinois”

Jan. 12–28, 2024, in the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare

https://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/2324_illinois

[A Director]

Posted: 6/27/23 at 12:30am

The title of this thread is misleading. One of the Creatives isn't listed.

ILLINOIS

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

SUFJAN STEVENS

(BASED ON THE ALBUM ILLINOIS)

STORY BY
JUSTIN PECK AND
JACKIE SIBBLIES DRURY

Why no mention of Jackie Sibblies Drury?

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 6/27/23 at 3:51am

I’d assume there was no bad intention leaving her out, but based on what I saw, this is Justin Peck’s “Illinois.” Yes, it’s Sufjan’s music, and it’s very beautiful music, but he’s not nearly as involved, and it seems like Drury and Peck have some work ahead of them with the book although there are beautiful pieces there too.

Updated On: 6/27/23 at 03:51 AM

[schubox]

Posted: 6/27/23 at 9:50am

JasonC3 said: "“Illinois”

Jan. 12–28, 2024, in the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare

https://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/2324_illinois"

Thanks

[round2]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 10:59am

Saw this exhilarating performance last night. What a very special show it is. I had enjoyed the original album after it came out in 2005, but had not listened to it enough to become intimately familiar with it. Listening to it again for the first time in years this week, I was reminded that it is quite a beautiful and impressive, and somewhat mysterious, piece of work.

Peck's and Drury's production is itself a gorgeous achievement. The music was terrifically well-served by the band with three sensational vocalists, each evoking some of the sound of Sufjan Stevens' voice, without the stale sound of imitation. 

I was surprised how emotionally impactful the dance performance became in the second half, and felt grateful to witness this spectacular group of dancers. It will be interesting to see how much the dramaturgy may be developed. I could see there being an interest in working on that, but more than fully enjoyed the production in its current form. I'd love to get to see it again.

Updated On: 7/2/23 at 10:59 AM

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 12:10pm

Just noticed that Peck posted a few days ago saying, “the run is sold out but stayed turned for future performances in Chicago in January. And then…eyes on New York City 👀.” Doesn’t seem like an “if,” it’s more of a “when.” I feel like that also confirms the types of venues people have been naming. They’re not aiming for Broadway, just NYC.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 9:44pm

DramaTeach said: "Just noticed that Peck posted a few days ago saying, “the run is sold out but stayed turned for future performances in Chicago in January. And then…eyes on New York City 👀.” Doesn’t seem like an “if,” it’s more of a “when.” I feel like that also confirms the types of venues people have been naming. They’re not aiming for Broadway, just NYC."

 

Greg Nobile, producer of Parade and The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window, among others, is the commercial producer attached.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/2/23 at 10:36pm

I think someone said earlier one of the producers is a attached to a new Off Broadway venue so I’d imagine it’s going there. Unless the demand is there to bring it uptown. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 7/3/23 at 8:53am

I did not know what I was getting into when buying tickets and I’m really not one for dance oriented pieces, but I absolutely loved this! The storytelling was clear and the dance/movement thrilling. I can definitely see a good run of this in NY.  Get Sufjan to commit to a month of dates and I’m sure this would be a sellout at BAM. 

[NYCtheaterguy]

Posted: 7/3/23 at 2:16pm

For more comments about the show, check out the Sufjan Stevens subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sufjan/

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 7/3/23 at 4:29pm

DramaTeach said: "RippedMan said: "So it’s more of a “Movin Out” style show?"

Yes, that’s a good comparison."

I found it more “American Idiot” than “Movin’ Out” despite the fact that the he dancers/actors did not sing or really speak. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 8:06pm

Stevens is in rehab recovering from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Washington Post article (gift link):

https://wapo.st/3PVYQWJ

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/20/23 at 8:33pm

Hope he’s on the road to a quick and easy recovery. Listened to “Will Anybody Ever Love Me” from his new album, and it’s gorgeous.

[ardiem]

Posted: 11/16/23 at 7:51pm

Looks like this is coming to the Armory: https://www.armoryonpark.org/programs_events/detail/illinoise