Illinoise

 Illinoise
St. James Theatre
April 24, 2024 

Photo courtesy of Illinoise

Following a successful run at the Park Ave. Armory, Illinoise is now playing at the St. James Theatre.  It is a beautifully crafted and emotionally impactful full-length dance piece (running 90 minutes), which takes you on a visceral journey of friendship, love, loss, and healing through community.  The music and lyrics by Sufjan Stevens fully envelopes you, drawing you into the environment and action.  The choreography by Justin Peck tells the story of each character with clarity and wonder.  As your senses become fully immersed in the production, you connect to the characters, relate to their experiences, and heal along with them as they form a community of acceptance. 

Photo courtesy of Illinoise

We first meet Henry (played by Ricky Ubeda).  He is asleep with his boyfriend, Douglas (played by Ahmed Simmons).  Henry rises and leaves.  He feels heavy and burdened.  We are transported to a campfire in a forest, where a circle of friends meet and share their stories.  Henry arrives, and is reluctant to share.  When he finally does, he reveals how he lost his best friend, Carl (played by Ben Cook) to suicide.  His love for Carl runs deep.  After sharing, Henry feels lighter as he becomes one with the group.  He is welcome, and joined by Douglas.  

Photo courtesy of Illinoise

Director/Choreographer Justin Peck is a master at storytelling through movement and dance.  The performances are technically strong and emotionally moving.  Vocals by Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova, and Tasha Viets-VanLear are mesmerizing.  

Illinoise is playing on Broadway for a limited time.  You have until August 10.  Get a ticket right away! 

Domenick Danza

Carousel

Carousel

Imperial Theatre

July 5, 2018

Photo courtesy of Carousel

The Broadway revival of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Carousel is beautifully done.  The choreography is brilliant.  The set design by Santo Loquasto pulls you into a different time and place and blends the harsh realities in the story with the profound spiritual tale that raises the stakes.  The stellar cast creates genuine moments in the sweeping pace the show requires.  The ending is magic and true, emotional and mystical. 

Julie Jordan (played by Jessie Mueller) goes to the carousel with her best friend Carrie Pipperidge (played by Lindsay Mendez).  She catches the attentions of Billy Bigelow, the carousel barker (played by Joshua Henry).  They are magnetically drawn to one another.  Over time their relationship develops both tenderly and aggressively.  When Julie tells Billy she is going to have a baby, he realizes he needs to step up as a provider.  He joins his friend Jigger (played by Amar Ramasar) in a plan to rob a local businessman.  The robbery goes awry and, unable to face Julie, Billy kills himself.  He holds onto his aggressive demeanor in his meeting with The Starkeeper (played by John Douglas Thompson) at the pearly gates.  He is offered one visit to earth where he has a chance to redeem himself by helping his daughter, Louise (played by Brittany Pollack), who, at fifteen years old, is full of anger and resentment.

Jessie Mueller & Joshua Henry
Photo courtesy of Carousel

What stands out in this revival is how the first act is superbly structured.  Richard Rogers skillfully layers his music throughout the three scenes, while Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics simply and succinctly tell the story in fluently sung dialogue.  Amid this musical synchronicity, Richard Rogers’ music unexpectedly swells into a theme that draws you deeper into the emotional life of the characters.  Joshua Henry, Jessie Mueller, and Lindsay Mendez exuberantly dive into these sections.  Their voices ring magnificently, creating truthful moments that draw you into the yearnings of their characters. 

Lindsay Mendez
Photo courtesy of Carousel

The ballet in the second act, where we meet Louise, is choreographer Justin Peck’s finest storytelling.  Louise’s character is clearly revealed through gesture, timing, and variations in her physical tension.  Brittany Pollack takes hold of all of these nuances and transports them into her scenes that follow the ballet. 

Photo courtesy of Carousel

Director Jack O’Brien focuses on the inner life of the characters in this production.  The story is in their personal conflicts.  His meticulous casting in these roles allows for the underlying desires of the characters to push the action of the play forward.  The ending makes sense on an emotional level, which is clear and intensely felt through Richard Rogers score.

Domenick Danza