Tonight’s performance of Broadway‘s Sufjan Stevens dance musical Illinoise has been canceled due to the death of a backstage company member.
The death did not occur at the St. James Theatre, where Illinoise is playing. The company member is not a performer and does not appear onstage, and has not been identified.
“Due to a tragedy within the Illinoise community, tonight’s performance will be cancelled and performances will resume tomorrow,” an Instagram post reads. “We apologize for the inconvenience. All tickets for the cancelled performance will be refunded at the original point of purchase.”
Based on Stevens’ 2005 album Illinois, the musical is directed and choreographed by Justin Peck. Last week the production received four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design and Best Orchestrations. Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury wrote the musical’s book.
Following a sold-out Off Broadway run at Manhattan’s Park Avenue Armory, Illinoise made a last-minute transfer to Broadway’s St. James Theatre in time for Tony qualification. The limited engagement Broadway staging began performances on April 24 and runs through August 10.
