Anything that bears the name Tony Kushner is a cue to modern theatergoers that this show is one that needs to be seen. Of course nothing will ever compare with his opus, "Angels in America," but he’s had a few good ones since then, "Homebody Kabul," "Caroline or Change" and who knows what’s down the pike? In the meantime, there are a multitude of adaptations he’s done of works much like his own, stories that have people in conflict who without supervision can do grave harm to the entire civilization. Maybe that’s a little over the top for Kushner’s adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s "L’Illusion Comique," translated to simply "The Illusion". Maybe not. "The Illusion," directed by Russell Berns for Promethean Theatre is quite a surprise from start to finish.
Tom Weber is Pridamant, a successful lawyer who at one point abandoned a son. After a time, he’s overcome with sentiment and curiosity about his son and goes to Alcandre (John Christopher Brown), a sorcerer, to ask for information about him. Alcandre conjures a vision of his son who is called Calisto (Nick Lake), even though Pridamant swears “that is not his name.” Calisto, or whoever, is pursuing Melibea (Devon Candura) a beautiful woman sought after by every man in the village. Why Calisto even thinks he has a prayer at winning her attention is beyond reason. He’s a servant and she’s pretty noble. He’s also a snake, as soon as Melibea’s back is turned he’s feeding the same story to Elicia (Anne Korajczyk), Melibea’s bitter servant. Only he tells Elicia that once he gets all Melibea’s money, he’s through with her and they’ll live happily ever after.
Even though he’s charming, he has a lot of competition with Pleribo (Steve Gensler) and Metamore, a French nobleman played brilliantly and hilariously by Blake Williams. As Pridamant sees his son in such humble circumstances he begins to feel helpless, guilty and is seized by an overwhelming need to intervene until Alcandre takes him a step further and forces him to embrace the absurdity of his very own existence.
"The Illusion" is filled with fun, fury, and insight. Russell Berns captivates the audience with characters that cannot fully trust each other. An explosive performance by Ed Rutherford playing the parts of both Amanuesis, a partly mute servant and then Geronte, a man who can no longer hold his tongue is simultaneously frightening and delightful. "The Illusion" is confusing at times but the surprising ending ties it up neatly and justifies all the head scratching.
"The Illusion" runs through January 17 at the City Lit Theatre, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, in the Edgewater Presbyterian Church second floor theatre. Phone 773-305-2897 or visit www.prometheantheatre.org for tickets and information. Thursdays and Saturday matinees are “Winter Wonderland” performances with complimentary hot cocoa offered to the audience at intermission. "The Illusion" is a great holiday event for family and friends, it’s a good time!