Illinoise
“Illinoise” originated with a workshop under the title “Illinois” at Fisher Center at Bard in the summer of 2023. This is where A Doll’s House Pictures had the priveldge of filming a dress rehearsal to create promotional material for the show. After a sold out run at the Fisher Center the production moved to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in January of 2024 followed by The Park Avenue Armory in New York City in March of 2024. Our team’s footage of the Fisher Center performance was used for promotional materials for each of these productions. With sold out runs at each step of the way, Illinoise now moves to Broadway for a limited time, 16 week, run at the St. James Theater.
Direct from two critically acclaimed sold-out engagements, and nominated for the Tony, Drama League, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical, Illinoise has arrived on Broadway for a strictly limited engagement. “The majestic future of Broadway” (Los Angeles Times) is here.
Based on the landmark Sufjan Stevens album, Illinoise “springs to epic life onstage” (The Washington Post) in a “mysterious, deeply moving and unforgettable dance-musical” (The New York Times) directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Justin Peck.
Peck and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury have crafted an original story that takes the audience on “an emotionally supercharged” (The Hollywood Reporter) journey. A group of friends gather around a campfire and tell tales of family, myth, and growing up, inspiring one young man to finally share his powerful story of first love. Through a unique blend of live music, dance, and theater, “Illinoise explores the hot zone between childhood and adulthood when emotions can be at their most overwhelming” (The New York Times).
FISHER CENTER AT BARD PRODUCTION
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Music and Lyrics by Sufjan Stevens
(based on the album Illinois)
Story by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury
Directed and Choreographed by Justin Peck
Music Direction and Supervision by Nathan Koci
Music Arrangements and Orchestrations by Timo Andres
Scenic Design by Adam Rigg
Lighting Design by Brandon Stirling Baker
Costume Design by Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung
Sound Design by Garth MacAleavey
Props Design by Andrew Diaz
Masks by Julian Crouch
Associate Director-Choreographer Adriana Pierce
Associate Music Direction by Sean Forte
Production Stage Manager Natalie Hratko
Produced by Jecca Barry and Caleb Hammons
THE COMPANY
Kara Chan (Player)
Ben Cook (Will/Player)
Jeanette Delgado (Jo Daviess/Player)
Gaby Diaz (Shelby/Player)
Tilly Evans-Krueger (Player)
Jonathan Fahoury (Wayne/Player)
Jennifer Florentino (Morgan/Player)
Brandt Martinez (Clark/Player)
Craig Salstein (Player)
Ahmad Simmons (Douglas/Player)
Byron Tittle (Player)
Ricky Ubeda (Henry)
Jada German, Zachary Gonder, Matthew Johnson, Dario Natarelli (Swings)
Shara Nova (Vocals, Guitar), Tariq al-Sabir (Vocals, Synth), Tasha Viets-VanLear (Vocals, Guitar)
Christina Courtin (Violin/Viola), Domenica Fossati (Flute), Daniel Freedman (Drums), Sean Forte (Piano and Keys), Kathy Halvorson (Oboe), Nathan Koci (Banjo), Eleonore Oppenheim (Bass), Brandon Ridenour (Trumpet), Kyra Sims (Horn), and Jess Tsang (Vibraphone)
Production Manager: Brian Freeland
Strategic Consultant: Gura Associates
Technical Director: Chris Swetcky
Assistant Stage Manager: Anthony Rigaglia
Dance Captains: Jeanette Delgado and Craig Salstein
Acrobatics Coordinator: Danie Kohn
Associate Scenic Design: Kate Campbell
Associate Lighting Design: Serena Wong and Coby Chasman Beck
Assistant Lighting Design: Roya Abab
Assistant Costume Design: Chris Hynds
Music Copyist and Assistant: Nate Thacher
Production Assistant: Ros Werner Winslow ’25
Scenery constructed by Upstate Scenic
Scenic Charge Artists: Gus Koeniges, Maggie McFarland, and Duane Olson
