Illinoise, a theatrical adaptation ofSufjan Stevens career-breakthrough 2005 concept albumIllinois, will make its New York City premiere in March at ManhattansPark Avenue Armory, the arts venue announced today.
A dance-music-theater hybrid,Illinoisewill include music and lyrics by Stevens, based on his album, and will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award winnerJustin Peck(Carousel, Steven SpielbergsWest Side Story) with a story by Peck and Pulitzer-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury (Fairview).
The show, which will feature Timo Andres new arrangements of the entire Stevens album, will run from March 2-23, 2024, at the Upper East Side venue.
‘Illinoise,’ Sufjan StevensPark Ave Armory/Getty
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In its announcement today, the Armory described Stevens album as a wildly inventive portrayal of the states people, landscapes, and history, complete with UFOs, zombies, and predatory wasps.
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This musically ambitious work, which weaves together cinematic orchestral anthems, jazz riffs, and other musical influences to explore wide-ranging narratives about blossoming queerness and self-exploration is expanded upon through a mix of live music and impressionistic choreography to revisit the beloved albums themes of self-discovery, the Armoryswebsitenotes.
The show description continues that Peck embraces Stevenss album in an ecstatic pageant of storytelling, theater, dance, and live music with a cast of virtuosic dancers, singers, and musicians…
Andres arrangements for a live band and three voices range in style from DIY folk and indie rock to marching band and ambient electronics.
Says the Armory synopsis, this bold, new music-theater production leads audiences on a mighty journey through the American heartland, from campfire storytelling to the edges of the cosmos.
The stage adaptation was originally commissioned, developed, produced, and premiered last spring at the Fisher Center at Bard, where Daniel Fishs acclaimed Tony-winning revival ofOklahoma!got its start.
The famously press-shy Stevens, 48, recently made headlines when he disclosed in September that he had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and was relearning to walk after the neurological disorder left him with no mobility.
He chronicled his hospital stay with aseries of Instagramposts, but has not shared new information since an October 6 message in which he dedicated his just-released studio albumJavelinto his late partner Evans Richardson.
Richardson, the Chief-of-Staff of the Studio Museum in Harlem, died on April 30 at the age of 43.
