A Tale Told Through Dance

Illinoise

For 90 uninterrupted minutes, a whole lot of magic takes place on the stage in Chicago Shakespeare’s beautiful Yard Theatre. A brand new and unique kind of inspirational musical production has opened in Chicago and is currently playing at the Navy Pier venue for a short run. The production is an enlightening and loving story that’s based upon an acclaimed concept album by award-winning singer, songwriter and composer, Sufjan Stevens. It’s a tale told through dance, movement, music, songs, light and a few props. The musical features a large cast of the most talented and appealing young artists imaginable. But what’s really unique and special about this story is that there is not one single word of dialogue.

Imagine a musical where none of the characters speak a word of dialogue, despite it being a story about storytellers. There are 19 songs, beautifully sung by a trio of vocalists staged high above most of the action, often joining the onstage orchestra as they also play their own instruments. These multitalented performers include Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova and Tasha Viets-VanLear. They join instrumentalists Nathan Koci (who’s also the Conductor, Musical Director and Keyboardist), Sean Peter Forte, Domenica Fossati, Daniel Freedman, Dan Galat, Kathy Halvorson, Eleonore Oppenheim, Brett Parnell, Christopher Scanlon, Kyra Sims and Jessica Tsang. Together, these artists interpret Stevens’ songs with style and passion.

The plot of this piece is both gossamer thin and complex. The story isn’t linear and is certainly open to each theatergoer’s individual interpretation. It features a road trip through the Land of Lincoln, but it begins with a young man journeying to an outdoor retreat populated by other amateur writers. Through diary entries written by several of the young journalists we experience several diverse musical stories. They include “about Jacksonville, about Zombies, about John Wayne Gacy, Jr. and about The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts.”

Seated around the campfire, our shy leading young man is persuaded to share his own journal we begin a story about two best friends, Henry and Carl. Together they travel together through the state of Illinois, and then on to New York City. There’s a possible unspoken romantic attraction between the two men, however Carl has left behind a special young woman, named Shelby, about whom he dreams. When he learns that she’s being treated for cancer, Carl hurries to her side. In New York, Henry meets and falls in love with another young man named Douglas. He remains in Manhattan with his caring new companion, but then Henry learns about the two unthinkable tragedies that have occurred back in Illinois. While trying to deal with his personal catastrophes Henry empties his feelings into his journal.

The story is somewhat shadowy and vague at times, but this allows the audience to fill in the blanks. Our imaginations are sparked and constantly at work connecting the dots, although Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury has crafted a story based upon Sufjan Stevens’ music. And the highest praise possible must be heaped upon Justin Peck, who choreographed this production with artistry and athleticism. If his name sounds familiar, it may be because Mr. Peck is a well-known Tony Award-winning choreographer, dancer and director. He’s also the Resident Choreographer of the New York City Ballet, and his creativity, expertise and genius all shine through in this extraordinary production.

Each and every member of this cast is a star who shines both individually and collectively, adding light to the darkness of this musical. The dancers include Ricky Ubeda (Henry), Ben Cook (Carl), Gaby Diaz (Shelby) and Ahmad Simmons (Douglas). Then there’s the brilliant, gravity-defying corps de ballet who, like the previously cited dancers, create a myriad of additional characters. They include Kara Chan, Jeanette Delgado, Christine Flores, Rachel Lockhart, Jada German, Robbie Fairchild, Craig Salstein, Byron Tittle (an incredible tap dancer), Alejandro Vargas, Zachary Gonder, with swings Dario Natarelli and Tyrone Reese.

This breathtaking premiere production couldn’t have happened without an army of unseen gifted theatre artists, all plying their craft and at the top of their game. They include Adam Rigg (Scenic Designer), Brandon Stirling Baker (Lighting Designer), Garth MacAleavey (Sound Designer), Reid Bartelme & Harriet Jung (Costume Designers), Julian Crouch (Masks) and Andrew Diaz (Props Designer).

If you like unique, unusual new shows, run—don’t walk—to the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Playing in the Yard is the exciting premiere of one of the most unusual and unique musicals that theatergoers could imagine. It’s beautiful, creative and filled with talented performers. “Illinoise” is a tale told through dance but, despite there being no dialogue, it shouts loudly about this journey we call life. The new musical is about love, loss, soul mates and self-discoveries. There’s both comedy and tragedy in this story about storytellers and, thanks to the artistic collaboration between Sufjan Stevens, Jackie Sibblies Drury and Justin Peck, this may be the beginning of a new form of musical theatre.           

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 3-18 by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in the Yard venue, at Navy Pier, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling the theatre at 312-595-5600 or by going to www.chicagoshakes.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com