The new musical Illinoise, based on Grammy nominee Sufjan Stevens’ acclaimed concept album Illinois, is currently playing Chicago Shakespeare Theater's The
Yard through February 18. Get a look at the new musical in the gallery below.
With a libretto by Tony winner Justin Peck (Carousel)—who also directs and choreographs—and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury (Fairview), performances began January 28 at the Chicago venue.
The production, set around a campfire as dancers, singers, and a live
band lead audiences on an epic journey, will subsequently play New
York's Park Avenue Armory beginning March 2. Originally scheduled through March 23, the production has just added two additional performances and will now continue through March 26 in the Wade
Thompson Drill Hall. Tickets for the New York engagement are on sale at ArmoryonPark.org.
The cast features Kara Chan, Ben Cook, Jeanette Delgado, Gaby Diaz, Robbie Fairchild, Christine Flores, Jada German, Zachary Gonder, Rachel Lockhart, Dario Natarelli, Tyrone Reese, Craig Salstein, Ahmad Simmons, Byron Tittle, Ricky Ubeda, and Alejandro Vargas.
The company also includes vocalists Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova, Tasha Viets-VanLear and instrumentalists Christina Courtin, Sean Peter Forte, Domenica Fossati, Daniel Freedman, Kathy Halvorson, Nathan Koci, Eleonore Oppenheim, Brett Parnell, Brandon Ridenour, Kyra Sims, and Jessica Tsang.
Company of Illinoise
Ricky Ubeda, Byron Tittle, Christine Flores, and Kara Chan in Illinoise
Shara Nova and Tasha Viets-VanLear in Illinoise
Ricky Ubeda and Ben Cook in Illinoise
Company of Illinoise
Elijah Lyons, Ricky Ubeda, and Ahmad Simmon in Illinoise
Gaby Diaz and Ben Cook in Illinoise
Company of Illinoise
Stevens‘ acclaimed 2005 concept album is known for its lush
orchestrations and inventive portrayal of the state’s people,
landscapes, and history—complete with UFOs, zombies, and predatory
wasps. This work weaves together delicate folk narratives about
blossoming queerness, orchestral anthems destined for cinematic
montages, and jazz tunes about the state’s ghost towns. This stage
adaptation made its world premiere last year at the Fisher
Center at Bard.
The creative team also includes music director and supervisor Nathan Koci, music arranger and orchestrator Timo Andres (who penned new arrangements of the album), scenic designer Adam Rigg, lighting designer Brandon Stirling Baker, sound designer Garth MacAleavey, costume designers Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung, props designer Andrew Diaz, mask designer Julian Crouch, and production stage manager Rick Steiger.
Illinoise, originally commissioned, developed, and produced at the Fisher Center at Bard, is a co-commission of Park Avenue Armory, Fisher Center at Bard, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Perelman Performing Arts Center, Southbank Center, and TO Live, and produced in association with ArKtype/Thomas O. Kriegsmann by special arrangement with the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC).
