Sufjan Stevens' Illinoise Takes the Stage in Chicago

Sufjan Stevens's Illinoise was a staple in the early aughts, a concept album brimming with a lush array of instruments and tales rooted in The Prairie State. Despite its 2005 release, it has sustained staying power and remained an indie darling. Upon hearing murmurs about a stage adaptation of this album, I was ecstatic. The musical adapation premiered at Bard College in June 2023 and opened last weekend in Chicago at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Illinoise is rich with storylines and felt like a breath of fresh air.

While the term "musical" can be loaded and an immediately turn-off for some, this stage production is unlike any other musical or performance I've seen. The show is a dance piece, with actors on stage displaying incredible emotion through movement and choreography. However, they don't have lines or sing. On stage is a full band, including a banjo, accordion, and marimba, along with three singers who trade off performing lead vocals.

The story is challenging to encapsulate in words, it ‘s best experienced with your eyes. At its core, it's about sharing stories and parts of yourself, finding healing through community. People gather around a campfire, taking turns sharing excerpts in a comforting space. Content may get dark, but with others to lean on, the experience is meaningful. The staging is simple with an industrial structure - sliding doors covered in graffiti occasionally open, close, and transform by the dancers' ever-changing props, costumes, and lighting cues.

The music's arrangements closely resembled the original album, with some prolonged instrumental sections and a reprise of the song "Chicago" being the only notable differences. The music itself didn't undergo the Broadway treatment. This show, being niche, serves as a more accessible entry point for some, devoid of Broadway tropes that could come off as heavy-handed and cheesy.

The choreography, directed and choreographed by Tony winner Justin Peck (known for choreographing Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story), was inspiring and intricate. It felt like a risk, not following a conventional narrative, closer to a traditional ballet in conveying the plot through bodies and movement. The dance style was a fusion of various types: lyrical, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, ballet, etc. The dancers' energy and zeal, juxtaposed against their outdoorsy/casual clothes and sneakers, were magnetic.

I was blown away by the emotion conveyed by this fabulous cast of dancers. Seated in the third row, my friend and I were completely consumed by the production, witnessing every smile, sigh, and bead of sweat from the dancers.

This committed production, not an easy task due to dense and odd lyrics (including a whole song about John Wayne Gacy, Jr.), was magnificently pulled off by Justin Peck and the entire cast and crew—a contemporary dance masterpiece that will be remembered for a lifetime. For those in Chicago, the production runs until February 18th—don't miss the chance to witness this spectacle on stage!