Sufjan Stevens' Musical 'Illinoise' Finally Gets a Broadway Premiere Date

Out singer and songwriter Sufjan Stevens is gearing up to make his long-awaited Broadway debut. His musical, "Illinoise," based of the 2015 album of the same name, will be the soundtrack of his show set to open at the St. James Theatre this spring.

Could a Tony Award be in his future?!

As reported by Variety, choreographer Justin Peck ("West Side Story" and "Carousel") and Jackie Sibblies Drury ("Fairview") crafted the show, which will include live music and vocals, impressionistic choreography and "narratives centering on self-exploration and community."

Per an official press release announcing the show, performances will begin April 24 as the opening night, with a limited run until Aug. 10.

The musical plot reportedly revolved around a group of hikers, convening at a campfire to tell their stories. Adding more to the premise, Peck describes the show as a "coming-of-age story that takes the audience on a journey through the American heartland – from campfire storytelling to the edges of the cosmos – all told in through a unique blend of music, dance and theater."

He added, "This project has been ruminating in my mind for nearly 20 years, which makes this moment even more sublime."

Variety reports that the "Illinoise" cast includes "West Side Story" alums Yesenia Ayala, Ben Cook, Jeanette Delgado, Carlos Falu and Craig Salstein; "So You Think You Can Dance" winners in Gaby Diaz and Ricky Ubeda; and dancers Kara Chan, Christine Flores, Jada German, Zachary Gonder, Rachel Lockhart, Brandt Martinez, Dario Natarelli, Tyrone Reese, Craig Salstein, Ahmad Simmons, Byron Tittle and Alejandro Vargas.

"For me, the thing that makes 'Illinoise' so special is how it allows incredible performers to come together with an audience and welcome emotion and connection with open arms," said Drury. "It is rare to have an experience, in a public space, that is moving on an elemental level, so we are all incredibly gratified to bring 'Illinoise' to the St. James on Broadway."

"Illinoise" is performed by a dozen acting dancers and a trio of vocalists, along with a live band, reports the New York Times. What is unusual about the show being booked in an unusually crowded Spring season is that the show is fresh off its sold-out run at the Park Avenue Armory, which followed successful runs earlier this year at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and last year at Bard College's Fisher Center.

"The transfer will be unusually fast, with just 29 days between the end of the run at the Armory and the start of the run at the St. James. There will be a brief rehearsal period, but no previews; the first performance will also be the opening, which is uncommon for Broadway," writes the Times.

"We have this kind of lightning in a bottle with this show that is not something that one can create intentionally," Peck said. "We want to preserve the energy of the show, and the longer we wait between phases of this, the greater we risk losing what that energy is."

Will you be watching?