Sufjan Stevens is bringing his musical skills to Broadway. The singer-songwriter’s present “Illinoise,” primarily based on his album of the identical title, will open on the St. James Theatre within the spring.
The musical will start performances on April 24, which is able to act because the engagement’s opening evening. The restricted run will conclude on Aug. 10, 2024.
Choreographer Justin Peck, whose credit embody Steven Spielberg’s “West Facet Story” and “Carousel,” and Jackie Sibblies Drury (“Fairview”) crafted the present, with dwell music and vocals, impressionistic choreography, and “narratives centering on self-exploration and neighborhood,” in response to the official press launch.
Set to the whole lot of Stevens’ 2005 idea album, “Illinoise” revolves round a gaggle of hikers who convene round a campfire to inform their tales. Peck describes the present as a “coming-of-age story that takes the viewers on a journey by way of the American heartland — from campfire storytelling to the sides of the cosmos — all advised in by way of a singular mix of music, dance, and theater.”
“This mission has been ruminating in my thoughts for practically 20 years, which makes this second much more elegant,” says Peck. “We really feel fortunate that we get to proceed sharing this distinctive present with future audiences on Broadway. On behalf of my workforce, we welcome this uncommon alternative with full hearts.”
Frequent Stevens collaborator Timo Andres will function the composer for “Illinoise,” which has no dialogue and is carried out by an 11-member band and three vocalists. The musical is transferring to Broadway after two sold-out productions on the Park Avenue Armory and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
The “Illinoise” solid contains a number of “West Facet Story” alum, together with Yesenia Ayala, Ben Prepare dinner, Jeanette Delgado, Carlos Falu, Craig Salstein; two “So You Assume You Can Dance” winners in Gaby Diaz and Ricky Ubeda; in addition to dancers Kara Chan, Christine Flores, Jada German, Zachary Gonder, Rachel Lockhart, Brandt Martinez, Dario Natarelli, Tyrone Reese, Craig Salstein, Ahmad Simmons, Byron Tittle and Alejandro Vargas.
“For me, the factor that makes ‘Illinoise’ so particular is the way it permits unimaginable performers to return along with an viewers and welcome emotion and reference to open arms,” mentioned Drury. “It’s uncommon to have an expertise, in a public house, that’s shifting on an elemental stage, so we’re all extremely gratified to carry ‘Illinoise’ to the St. James on Broadway.”
Stevens launched his tenth studio album “Javelin” in 2023, which he devoted to his late companion Evans Richardson. He gained wider recognition in Hollywood after contributing two songs — “Thriller of Love” and “Visions of Gideon” –to the soundtrack of 2017’s indie drama “Name Me by Your Title,” starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer.