The musical theater adaptation of Sufjan Stevens’ iconic 2005 album Illinois is heading to Broadway, led by Justin Peck, who choreographed Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story.
The adaptation will feature music and lyrics by Stevens, with the story crafted by Peck and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury. According to the show’s description, Illinoise follows a “coming-of-age story through the American heartland,” which is exactly what we expect from a Sufjan-inspired musical. The production features new arrangements of the entire album, as well as “impressionistic choreography” and “narratives centering on self-exploration and community.”
Illinois is among Stevens’ most popular work, holding the No. 1 spot on RELEVANT’s ranking of Stevens’ albums. The album features his best-known song, “Chicago,” which was featured in the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine and, 16 years later, used as the opening theme for Netflix’s The Politician.
The show opens April 24 at the St. James Theatre in New York City, with shows running through August 10. Tickets are now on sale.
