The company of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of “Illinoise,” playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jan. 28–Feb. 18, 2024. (Liz Lauren)
It is not an easy production to describe, but it is fascinating to watch. “Illinoise,” now onstage at Chicago Shakespeare’s Yard Theater, is an altogether unique and extraordinarily brilliant interpretation of composer/singer/lyricist Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 album (with its title a playful twist on the state of Illinois).
The show is an absolute stunner in which the song lyrics have inspired a multifaceted storyline devised by director/choreographer Justin Peck (resident choreographer of the New York City Ballet) and playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury. Aside from Stevens’ lyrics there is no dialogue, so the strongest “language” that vividly drives the show is dance. And the various stories that unfold over the course of the show’s 90 compelling minutes are stunningly enacted by a remarkably expressive ensemble of 12 dancers who ideally capture a slew of different personalities and sexual relationships as they travel through various parts of Illinois, and, at some moments, New York.
In addition, all along the way the dancers are accompanied by a terrific onstage orchestra led by Nathan Koci (with outstanding music arrangements and orchestrations by Timothy Andres). Perched above the stage is an eclectic mix of instrumentalists, who at times double as vocalists, along with three essential singers (keyboardist Elijah Lyons and electric guitarists Shara Nova and Tasha Viets-VanLear) who stand on either side of the stage.
Bringing to life the show’s storyline (largely set against scenic designer Adam Rigg’s graffiti-covered wall) are about 20 of Stevens’ evocative songs that are animated by a cast of 12 absolutely remarkable dancer/actors. And all along the way, as they move to Peck’s wonderfully eclectic mix of choreographic styles — from jazz to modern to tap (with a notably winning sequence performed by Byron Tittle) — the dancers suggest youthful explorations of love, sex, travel, despair and desperation along with evocations of both a real-life character (serial killer John Wayne Gacy Jr., played by Alejandro Vargas) and a quirky take on Superman (winningly suggested by Robbie Fairchild).
The company of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of “Illinoise,” playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jan. 28–Feb. 18, 2024. (Liz Lauren)
The story is loosely framed as something of an intensely personal memoir by Henry (ideally captured by Dario Natarelli). But the show moves among a variety of characters whose personal histories and interests are varied and expressed in many different ways. The uniformly excellent cast includes Ben Cook, Gaby Diaz, Kara Chan, Jeannette Delgado, Christine Flores, Rachel Lockhart, Zachary Gonder and Craig Salstein.
In many ways both a heartbreaking memoir and a playful riff on pop culture, “Illinoise” creates an original language and biography that is all its own. Cheers to Stevens and his wonderfully creative “interpreters.”
“Illinoise” runs through Feb. 18 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave. on Navy Pier. For tickets, visit chicagoshakes.com or call 312-595-5600.
Note: This show is already scheduled for a run in New York this spring.
Follow Hedy Weiss on Twitter: @HedyWeissCritic
