Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Feeling the steps: Justin Peck’s ILLINOISE gloriously brings Sufjan Stevens’ iconic album to choreographic life

• By drediman
• March 18, 2024
• No Comments

Over the last decade or so, Justin Peck has emerged as perhaps the pre-eminent American choreographer of his generation. Having primarily honed his considerable talent as a dance-maker with the New York City Ballet — where he is the resident choreographer — Peck has steadily established a portfolio of ballets that has captured dance-goers’ imaginations, particularly his collaborations with singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens (Year of the Rabbit, Everywhere We Go). Now the busy choreographer has turned his attention to Stevens’ most celebrated creation — the iconic 2005 concept album Illinois — adapting the masterwork into the dance theater hybrid Illinoise.

As much as I’ve admired the objective beauty and composition of his works, I’ve had mixed feelings about Peck’s abilities as a storyteller through dance (his last attempt at an overt story ballet was The Most Incredible Thing, which was met with lukewarm response, at best). I’m happy to report that Illinoise has dispelled my misgivings — Peck and playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury have managed to shape a compelling story that soulfully taps into modern day anxieties, particularly those experienced by young adults. Throughout, Peck has imbued his steps with deep feeling and dramatic intention — not typically the case with his previous pieces — resulting in satisfying characterizations and an emotionally resonant narrative arc. The overall impact of the evening comes from the respectful communion between Peck’s choreography and Stevens’ gorgeous score, which is meticulously and richly played by an onstage band of sensational musicians. 

Although at heart an ensemble piece, Illinoise focuses mainly on the story of a young man named Henry, played with an Everyman kind of quality by So You Think You Can Dance winner Ricky Ubeda. Henry’s is a bittersweet story of love and loss (no spoilers here), and Ubeda animates it with unaffected directness that’s both heartfelt and heartbreaking. The rest of the super talented and eager cast — which includes former City Ballet star and now Broadway triple threat Robbie Fairchild — is stellar. Collectively, they gloriously bring out the gamut of emotions coded within the choreography with moving clarity and honesty, especially with respect to the healing power of community and love.  

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

ILLINOISE
Off-Broadway, Musical / Dance
Park Avenue Armory
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through March 26