Illinoise
Illinoise | |
---|---|
A New Musical | |
![]() Broadway promotional poster | |
Music | Sufjan Stevens |
Lyrics | Sufjan Stevens |
Book | Justin Peck Jackie Sibblies Drury |
Basis | Illinois by Sufjan Stevens |
Premiere | June 23, 2023: Fisher Center |
Productions | 2023Bard College 2024Chicago 2024Off-Broadway 2024Broadway |
Illinoiseis a 2023 dance revue[1]musicalwith music and lyrics bySufjan Stevensand an original story byJustin PeckandJackie Sibblies Drury.The musical was inspired by Stevens' 2005 albumIllinois.The musical follows some friends relating stories around a campfire about their childhoods and growing up in Illinois.
After a summer festival premiere, regional production andoff-Broadwaytryout, the show debuted onBroadwayin April 2024 at theSt. James Theatre;these productions have all been directed and choreographed by Peck.[2]Reviews on Broadway were generally positive,[3]andIllinoisewas nominated for fourTony Awards,winning one for Peck'schoreography.
Synopsis
[edit]Prologue and act I
[edit]A young man named Henry leaves his bed and partner in the middle of the night ( "Prologue (or, A Conjuction of Drones...)" ). He recalls an event that involved the three most important people in his life ( "Three Stars (or, Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois)" ). Henry hiked into the wilderness ( "The Long Hike" ) and came across a group of friends who were sitting around a campfire in the forest telling stories about their childhoods and lives in Illinois. He was given a notebook matching the ones belonging to the other storytellers and encouraged to "Write from the heart"; he wonders if he really did ( "Come on Feel the Illinoise!" ).
The storytelling begins: Morgan reminisces about growing up in Jackson, Illinois, and her attempts to understand her lineage and the lessons left by those who came before ( "A Story About Jackson" ). Jo Daviess relates her worries about the hold the Founding Fathers have on the American imagination, and the dangers of racism and conservatism ( "a story about Zombies" ). Wayne has been dealing with feelings of self-loathing about their sexuality and reflects how, as an outcast, they hide the truth about themselves, fearing that they are no better than Illinois serial killerJohn Wayne Gacy( "a story about John Wayne Gacy, Jr" ). Wayne eventually breaks down in tears and is comforted by the other members of the group. To lighten the mood, Clark tells about how he is a vulnerable Superman ( "a story about The Man of Metropolis" ).
Act II
[edit]At first, Henry resists telling his story, but emboldened by the willingness of his new friends to share their feelings of vulnerability, he relates that his childhood best friend and first love, Carl, previously had a lover named Shelby, and the three were close friends ( "Decatur" ). Henry's story comes alive. He and Carl embark on a road trip to New York, which ends abruptly when Carl receives news that Shelby is ill ( "Chicago" ). Carl returns to Decatur to be with her, but Henry meets and falls in love with Douglas, an artist ( "To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament" ). Shelby soon dies of cancer, with Carl at her side ( "Casimir Pulaski Day" ).
Meanwhile, Henry is still together with Douglas, and while the two are very much in love, Henry is tormented by the idea that he has done something terrible by leaving Carl ( "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!" ). Douglas is able to calm Henry, and the two fall back to sleep. Carl struggles with having lost the love of his life ( "In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth" ) and, unable to confide in Henry, commits suicide ( "The Seer's Tower" ). Henry is devastated by the loss of Carl, and, returning to the present, Henry leaves Douglas in bed and finds these new friends ( "A Conjunction of Drones, again" ).
Act III
[edit]Henry realizes that he cannot spend the rest of his life dwelling on the end of his friendship with Carl but must celebrate the good things about it as well and Henry is overjoyed when Douglas arrives at the campfire having hiked there to find him ( "Chicago" (reprise)). Henry's new friends and Douglas celebrate his bravery for telling his story and accepting his emotions ( "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders" ). Henry and Douglas embrace as the celebration of storytelling continues ( "Epilogue" ).
Production history
[edit]Early productions (2023–2024)
[edit]The musical, originally titledIllinois,premiered at theFisher CenteratBard College,running from June 23 until July 2, 2023, during theBard SummerScape.Direction and choreography were byJustin Peck.[4][5]
The show, now titledIllinoise,was next staged at theChicago Shakespeare Theaterfrom January 28 to February 18, 2024; Peck continued as director and choreographer.[6]It opened in New Yorkoff-Broadwayat thePark Avenue Armoryon March 2, 2024, and closed on March 26, 2024, again with Peck at the helm. Orchestrations were byTimo Andres.[7]
Broadway (2024)
[edit]The production transferred to theSt. James TheatreonBroadwayon April 24, 2024. It played a limited engagement through August 10, 2024.[8]Peck directed and choreographed; set design is by Adam Rigg, with lighting byBrandon Stirling Bakerand costumes by Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung.[9][10]The production received four nominations at the77th Tony Awards,includingBest Musical,[11]winning one forBest Choreographyfor Peck.[12]
Cast and characters
[edit]Character | Chicago[6] | Off-Broadway[13] | Broadway[14] |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | 2024 | ||
Clark | Robert Fairchild | Brandt Martinez | |
Henry | Ricky Ubeda | ||
Jo Daviess | Jeanette Delgado | ||
Shelby | Gaby Diaz | ||
Marion | Kara Chan | ||
Douglas | Ahmad Simmons | ||
Cass | Byron Tittle | ||
Morgan | Rachel Lockhart | ||
Boone | Craig Salstein | ||
Carl | Ben Cook | ||
Wayne | Alejandro Vargas | ||
Knox | Christine Flores | ||
Barsine(vocalist) | Shara Nova | ||
Nacna(vocalist) | Tasha | ||
Arctiini(vocalist) | Elijah Lyons |
Characters are named after counties located in Illinois,[15]and the vocalists are named after moth classifications,Barsine,NacnaandArctiini,and costumed to represent moths.[16]
Musical numbers
[edit]- "Prologue (or, A Conjuction of Drones...)"
Act I
- "Three Stars (or, Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois)"
- "The Long Hike"
- "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!"
- "a story about Jacksonville"
- "a story about Zombies"
- "a story about John Wayne Gacy, Jr."
- "a story about The Man of Metropolis"
Act II
- "Decatur"
- "Chicago"
- "To the Workers of the Rock River Valley Region, I Have an Idea Concerning Your Predicament"
- "Casimir Pulaski Day"
- "Prairie Fire That Wanders About"
- "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!"
- "In This Temple as in the Hearts of Man for Whom He Saved the Earth"
- "The Seer's Tower"
- "A Conjunction of Drones, again"
Act III
- "Chicago" (reprise)
- "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shoulders"
- "Epilogue"
Critical reception
[edit]The Broadway production was praised by the reviewers of theChicago Tribune,[17]The Hollywood Reporter,[18]Variety[19]and several others.[3]A reviewer fromTheWrap,however, thought that the production was "not only sentimental but downright whimsical" and "precious", and criticized the choreography as displaying "a limited dance vocabulary".[16]The New York Timesreviewers were split, with Jesse Green callingIllinoise"unforgettable"[20]butGia Kourlasstating that the show was "a place of overflowing emotion, but little dance spirit".[21]
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024
|
Drama League Awards[22] | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Nominated | |
Outer Critics Circle Awards[23] | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Ricky Ubeda | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Ben Cook | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Justin PeckandJackie Sibblies Drury | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Timo Andres | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Choreography (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Justin Peck | Won | ||
Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Ricky Ubeda | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Choreography | Justin Peck | Won | ||
Outstanding Orchestrations | Timo Andres | Nominated | ||
Tony Awards | Best Musical | Nominated | ||
Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Brandon Stirling Baker | Nominated | ||
Best Choreography | Justin Peck | Won | ||
Best Orchestrations | Timo Andres | Nominated |
See also
[edit]- Movin' Out,another musical focusing on a series of dances linked by a thin plot, with all the vocals performed by a pianist and band, while the dancers act out the lyrics; it was created byTwyla Tharp.
References
[edit]- ^Birenboim, Katie."Let’s Dance, with Ixchel Cuellar",Arts Journal, May 2, 2024
- ^Ryzik, Melena (February 28, 2024)."In Justin Peck's 'Illinoise', Dance On and Feel It".The New York Times.
- ^abRosky, Nicole (April 26, 2024)."Review Roundup:IllinoiseArrives on Broadway ".BroadwayWorld.
- ^Putnam, Leah (Mar 9, 2023)."New Musical Illinois by Jackie Sibblies Drury, Justin Peck, and Sufjan Stevens to Make World Premiere".Playbill.
- ^"Illinois".Fisher Center at Bard.August 16, 2023.
- ^ab"Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Illinoise".chicagoshakes.
- ^"Illinoise: Program & Events".Park Avenue Armory.
- ^Paterra, Sidney."ILLINOISE Concludes Broadway Run".Broadway World.Retrieved4 September2024.
- ^Evans, Greg (March 19, 2024)."Sufjan Stevens MusicalIllinoiseHeading To Broadway as Late-Season Entry in Crowded Spring ".Deadline.
- ^Lefkowitz, Andy (April 5, 2024)."Vocalists of dance musical 'Illinoise' will repeat performances on Broadway".Broadway News.
- ^Evans, Greg."Tony Award Nominations:Hell’s Kitchen,SterophonicLead With 13 ",Deadline, April 30, 2024
- ^Sarmiento, Isabella Gomez."Tony Awards 2024: The complete list of winners",NPR, June 16, 2024
- ^"Cast and More Details Announced for Illinoise at Park Avenue Armory - TheaterMania".2024-01-08.Retrieved2024-03-26.
- ^"CAST & CREATIVES".ILLINOISE A New Broadway Musical.Retrieved2024-04-24.
- ^Illinoise: Inside the Playbill.Playbill.RetrievedJune 20,2024.
- ^abHofler, Robert (April 26, 2024)."IllinoiseBroadway Review: What Teenagers and Moths Have in Common "".TheWrap.
- ^Jones, Chris (April 26, 2024)."Review:Illinoiseputs movement to the music of Sufjan Stevens – it's not the usual Broadway show ".Chicago Tribune.
- ^Rooney, David (April 26, 2024)."IllinoiseTheater Review: Justin Peck Transforms Sufjan Stevens' Concept Album Into a Soaring Rush of Late Adolescent Experience ".The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^Lewis, Christian (Apr 26, 2024)."IllinoiseReview: A Thrilling, Genre-Defying Broadway Musical Brings the Sufjan Stevens Album to Lyrical Life ".Variety.
- ^Green, Jesse (March 7, 2024)."Review: Welcome toIllinoise,Land of Love, Grief and Zombies ".The New York Times.
- ^Kourlas, Gia (March 13, 2024)."Illinoise:A Place of Overflowing Emotion, but Little Dance Spirit ".The New York Times.
- ^Culwell-Block, Logan (2024-04-22)."2024 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List".Awards.Playbill.Retrieved2024-04-29.
- ^Culwell-Block, Logan (2024-04-23)."Dead OutlawLeads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Read the Full List ".Awards.Playbill.Retrieved2024-04-29.
External links
[edit]- Official website
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