Theater: “Illinoise” by Sufjan Stevens, Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury

One of the signs of a great musical is that you leave the theater humming at least one of the songs. If that’s the case, I will be humming “All Things Go,” a tune from the Sufjan (SOOF-yan) Stevens / Justin Peck musical “Illinoise” until the fireworks on July 4th.

But “Illinoise” is not a musical in the conventional sense. Nor is it a dance piece. It’s actually a bit of both. In fact, “Illinoise” is so entertaining and unique, it’s already headed for Broadway next month after a short five-week run at Park Avenue Armory. Only in New York, people.

So what’s it all about? A group of Gen-Z hikers gather around a campfire in a local Midwestern park, each carrying a journal. In their journals, they’ve written about an experience that has somehow affected their lives. Around the campfire, they share the experience with their comrades.

But they don’t express these feelings in dialogue. They express them in dance, moving to Peck’s choreography and the melodic, alt-rock songs Stevens wrote for his 2005 concept album of the same name. (The vocals btw are provided by an onstage trio playing keyboard and electric guitar, fronting for an exuberant 11-piece band.)

Morgan (Rachel Lockhart) tells a story of heritage by tap-dancing with the Preacher (Byron Tittle) for whom the park is named. Jo Daviess (Jeanette Delgado) is haunted by zombies, each of whom bear the name of an evil 20th-century politician. Clark (Robbie Fairchild) imagines he is Superman and flies across the stage wearing a cape.

Henry (Ricky Ubeda) is initially reluctant to share his story. But he eventually breaks down and tells of falling in love with his handsome best friend Carl (Ben Cook) on a road trip. The love is not requited, however, because Carl is straight and in love with Shelby (Gaby Diaz). Things get complicated in a way that devastates Henry. But simply by sharing his feelings with the group, he breaks out of his pity party.

Stevens’ songs run the gamut from haunting to joyous. As for the equally joyous choreography, I personally preferred the more intimate pas de deux but the energetic ensemble numbers are obviously what will pull in a Broadway audience.

Ubeda, whose sad eyes make him a double for Oscar Isaac, is moving as the shy, lovelorn teenager. So is Cook who is a lookalike for the young Jeff Daniels. His soulful duet with his GF Diaz is one for the ages as is the brash, frenzied tap dancing duet of Lockhart and Tittle.

Book by Jackie Sibblies Drury, who wrote the provocative “Fairview” at Theater for a New Audience, “Illinoise” is like a less slick “Chorus Line,” a less raucous “Rent” and is a bit reminiscent of Elizabeth Swados’ “Runaways” in its focus on youth. But you don’t have to be young to appreciate it. Just think that way.

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