Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents ILLINOISE a new kind of musical.
In 2005, singer, songwriter and composer Sufjan Stevens debuted his album “Illinois.” Stevens’ songs told the simplistic and complex eccentricities of Midwestern life. His composition had surprising depth as he weaved stories of aliens, zombies, serial killers, comic books, mental health and first loves into music. The creative team of Justin Peck (director and choreography) and Jackie Sibblies Drury (playwright) use Stevens’ album as the impetus to the imaginative musical, ILLINOISE. This past summer, it had its premiere production at the Fisher Center at Bard. And now Chicago Shakes presents its official press opening before a New York run at Park Avenue Armory in March.
The ILLINOISE experience is truly amazing!
Stevens’ music is an evocative score. Peck emphasizes the importance of the music by cascading the orchestra down both sides of the stage. Music Director Nathan Koci conducts fourteen musicians, including three vocalists (Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova, Tasha Viets-VanLear) in producing a beautiful folksy and indy rock vibe. The variety of instruments and harmonies coalesce for an ethereal sound. Adding to that celestial feel, Costume Designers Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung place delicate wings on Lyons, Nova, and Viets-VanLear. They become these singing angels.
This show is the perfect collective of fanciful rooted in reality. While Stevens’ music has otherworld whimsy, his lyrics are honest truths. Its these opposing forces Peck uses to everyone’s delight. He turns the ordinary to extraordinary. Peck and Drury’s story is set around a campfire. The friends take turns telling stories. As one person opens up their journal, the campfire scene fades into blackness. The song is the story. The dancer is the storyteller.
Peck employs a tour de force of dancers: 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. Then, he has Bartelme and Jung dress the ballet dancers in contemporary street clothes. The t-shirts, sneakers and baseball caps make it appear like these are just regular campers. Their dance moves prove just the opposite.
Peck facilitates movements reflective of hiking, running and even flying for Superman. He uses motions and gestures in an abrupt and rhythmic way to simulate heightened moments of joy and despair. Cook and Ubeda head out on a road trip. Lockhart and Tittle have a dance off. Fairchild indulges his inner ‘man-of-heart’. These playful exchanges are spirited fun. In contrast, Cook tries to comfort a desolate Diaz. Later, he struggles in pain-ridden isolation while Ubeda confronts his own fragility. The high-spirited mingles effectively with the melancholy. Peck impressively provides balanced storytelling.
This musical is a love letter to our home state. Although as Chicagoans, we tend to be city-centric. Scenic Designer Adam Rigg won’t let us forget we also belong to Illinois. His set melds together rural and urban. The scaffolding-like framework houses both prairie grass and graffiti with a looming Illinois billboard prominently featured with the words ‘Welcome to Illinoise’! It’s a sign… to get a ticket. ILLINOISE is THE destination to travel to in the next two weeks!
Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission
Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier
Based on Sufjan Stevens’ album “Illinois”
Story by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury
Music and lyrics by Sufjan Stevens
Directed and choreographed by Justin Peck
Music direction and supervision by Nathan Koci
Music arrangements and orchestrations by Timo Andres
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7pm
Wednesdays at 1:30pm
Saturdays at 2pm
Sundays at 2:30pm
Thru February 18th
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Liz Lauren
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago