Three brilliantly imaginative artists—Justin Peck, Sufjan Stevens, and Jackie Sibblies Drury—unite to create an ecstatic pageant of storytelling, theater, dance, and live music. Stevens’ 2005 concept album Illinoise enjoys cult status for its lush orchestrations and wildly inventive portrayal of the state’s people, landscapes, and history, complete with UFOs, zombies, and predatory wasps.

Tony Award-winner Justin Peck (Carousel on Broadway, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, New York City Ballet) transforms the album into a full-length theatrical performance with a cast of virtuosic dancers, singers, and musicians in a narrative crafted with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury.

Featuring new arrangements of the entire album for a live band and three voices, ranging in style from DIY folk and indie rock to marching band and ambient electronics, Illinois will lead us on a mighty journey through the American heartland, from campfire storytelling to the edges of the cosmos.

Credits

Music and Lyrics Sufjan Stevens
(based on the album Illinois)
Story Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury
Direction and Choreography Justin Peck

Music Direction and Supervision Nathan Koci
Music Arrangements and Orchestrations Timo Andres
Scenic Design Adam Rigg
Lighting Design Brandon Stirling Baker
Costume Design Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung
Sound Design Garth MacAleavey
Props Design Andrew Diaz
Masks Julian Crouch
Associate Direction-Choreography Adriana Pierce
Associate Music Direction Sean Forte
Production Stage Management Natalie Hratko
Producers Jecca Barry and Caleb Hammons

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)

Swings Jada German, Zachary Gonder, Matthew Johnson, and Dario Natarelli

Musicians
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
Jess Tsang, vibraphone

Production Management Brian Freeland
Strategic Consulting Gura Associates
Technical Direction Chris Swetcky
Assistant Stage Management 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