About the Show
Forgottonia is a musical journey through the evolution of the people and places in rural midwestern America as seen through the eyes of songwriter Chris Vallillo. Vallillo combines storytelling and live music with the images of award-winning rural photographer Tim Schroll to create an audio-visual love letter to the region’s past, present and future.
In Forgottonia, Vallillo draws on 35 years of original material to create a show that tells the story of West Central Illinois, an area that, for years, its inhabitants have lovingly referred to with that very name. The name “Forgottonia” first came to Western Illinois in 1972 when sixteen counties declared the creation of the independent nation of Forgottonia in protest of the lack of tax dollars returning to the region.
The plan was to secede from the Union, declare war on the United States, immediately surrender and then apply for foreign aid. It was nothing but political theatre, but, to everyone’s surprise, the story was picked up by the national media and, amazingly, it worked!
Featuring Don Stiernberg on Mandolin and Marc Edelstein on Bass
About the Artist
With a body of work spanning four decades that features a song repertoire rooted as firmly in Americana as July corn in Illinois soil, singer/songwriter Chris Vallillo intones from the heart of the Midwest in virtually everything he does. His exploration of what he calls “Unmetropolitan” America has seen him co-produce and act as performing host for public radio’s award winning Rural Route 3 program, serve as the Illinois State Scholar for The Smithsonian Institute’s traveling roots music exhibit and contribute to the US Library of Congress’ American Folklife Collection. His primary focus, however, has been songwriting, performing and recording a series of albums that have garnered praise from music scholars, glowing reviews from national magazines and occasionally landed him in the Billboard music charts. (Bio by Jay Hedblade)
@chris_vallillo
Press
“Forgottonia blends Chris's masterful musicianship with Tim's evocative photography, bringing to life the stories and memories of a place and time … audiences will want to visit. A moving and lyrical tribute to both the landscape and the people living there.”
- Anne Lefter, Director, The Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts, Western Illinois University
“Edgar Lee Masters would be proud.”
- River to River Magazine
Running Time
Due to the high volume and wide breadth of work we present, we are often not able to proactively offer content advisories for individual performances. However, if you have specific concerns about stage effects (such as strobe lights or fog/haze) that might have a bearing on comfort or well-being, or if you would like to know more about the age appropriateness of the performance, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.
RED Card Members
If you are a RED Card Member, your credits are valid for this LookOut presentation! Click the button below to learn more about redeeming your credits online.
Patron Code of Conduct
Welcome to Steppenwolf, one of the premiere ensemble theaters in America. By visiting us, you agree to adhere to the theatre’s Patron Code of Conduct and Health and Safety Protocols.
SPONSORS
Running Time
Content Advisory
Due to the high volume and wide breadth of work we present, we are often not able to proactively offer content advisories for individual performances. However, if you have specific concerns about stage effects (such as strobe lights or fog/haze) that might have a bearing on comfort or well-being, or if you would like to know more about the age appropriateness of the performance, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.
RED Card Members
If you are a RED Card Member, your credits are valid for this LookOut presentation! Click the button below to learn more about redeeming your credits online.
Patron Code of Conduct
Welcome to Steppenwolf, one of the premiere ensemble theaters in America. By visiting us, you agree to adhere to the theatre’s Patron Code of Conduct and Health and Safety Protocols.