The trio of singers who provided vocals for the recent Off-Broadway staging of “Illinoise” have been announced to reprise their turns during its upcoming Broadway transfer. Elijah Lyons, Shara Nova and Tasha Viets-VanLear will lend their voices to the previously announced Sufjan Stevens dance musical, set to begin performances and open during the same 2 p.m. matinée performance on April 24 at the St. James Theatre.
Lyons has long been a part of “Illinoise,” dating back to its out-of-town engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He has also appeared onstage in Off-Broadway’s “Rathskeller: A Musical Elixir” and a regional staging of “Sing Street” with Huntington Theatre Company.
Nova records music as lead singer of the band My Brightest Diamond and has toured with “Illinoise” songwriter Stevens. She will release the album “Fight the Real Terror” this year.
Viets-VanLear was a performer in all three prior stagings of “Illinoise,” including with Chicago Shakespeare Theater and at Bard SummerScape. Her additional credits include “Alone at Last” and “Tell Me What You Miss the Most.”
Directed and choreographed by Justin Peck and featuring a story created by Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury, “Illinoise” follows a group of storytellers sharing tales around a campfire. Individuals come forward to communicate through dance without spoken dialogue.
Lyons, Nova and Viets-VanLear complete a company that includes previously announced dancers Yesenia Ayala, Kara Chan, Ben Cook, Jeanette Delgado, Gaby Diaz, Carlos Falu, Christine Flores, Jada German, Zachary Gonder, Rachel Lockhart, Brandt Martinez, Dario Natarelli, Tyrone Reese, Craig Salstein, Ahmad Simmons, Byron Tittle, Ricky Ubeda and Alejandro Vargas.
“Illinoise” is being produced by Orin Wolf, John Styles and David Binder in association with Seaview. Nate Koch will serve as executive producer.
