Illusion and Truth at Villanova Theatre

Theater: Villanova Theatre
Show Title: The Illusion
Opened: April 15, 2008
Seen: April 15, 2008
Reviewer: Gary Labowitz
Submitted: April 17, 2008

Villanova Theatre presents “The Illusion” by Tony Kushner, directed by Harriet Power. April 15 - 27, 2008
Vasey Hall, Ithan and Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA

Villanova Theatre has mounted a most beguiling production of Tony Kushner’s “The Illusion.” A solid, polished cast brings a tantalizing experience to the audience. Played in the three-quarter round setting, this Shakespearean styled comedy seizes your attention and doesn’t let go. The actors are students, experienced players, and a professor. It is good to see a teacher who can do.

The play is based on a comedy by Pierre Corneille, who was 10 when Shakespeare died, so they were not quite contemporaries. Tony Kushner has crafted a well structured adaptation. It could well have been by Shakespeare. The style, witty epigrams, self-referent humor, the shifts from prose to verse at emotional moments, as well as the play within a play conceit are all Shakespearean. The use of names which resonate with various of Shakespeare’s plays adds to this feeling.

The story is of a father, Pridamant (Dr. James Schlatter), going to the cave of magician Alcandre (Paul Guerin) to ask him to reveal to him the whereabouts and living condition of his son, from whom he is estranged. The magician produces a vision in which we see the son, inexplicably calling himself Calisto (Carl Granieri), wooing a seemingly disinterested lady, Melibea (Rachel Anne Stephan), who is attended by her maid, Elicia (Kristen O’Rourke). Melibea reveals she is enthralled by Calisto and not by his rival, Pleribo (Charles Illingworth IV).

After some discussion of this situation by the father, Pridamant, and the magician, Alcandre, the magician produces a second vision. Taking place at a later time than the first, the lovers are now openly planning their liaison. At this point Calisto is now referred to as “Clindor,” Melibea is known as “Isabelle,” and the rival has become “Adraste.” (The maid is now “Lyse.”) The father is as confused by this as we are, but Alcandre assures all that the names don’t matter. The son (now Clindor) is the servant of his nobleman rival (now Adraste). They fight and Adraste is killed. Clindor has killed a nobleman and is sentenced to death.

The father is now distraught, but Alcandre assures him all will be well. Lyse arranges Clindor’s escape and he and Isabelle flee together, Isabelle abandoning her fortune to her maid, Lyse.

The father is relieved, but it is not over. Alcandre produces one last vision. Clindor, now “Theogenes,” has become a cheating husband to Isabelle, now “Hyppolyta.” A nobleman, Prince Florilame, arrives to avenge Theogenes’ affair with his wife and kills Theogenes. Hyppolyta, overcome by her grief and love, falls dead at his side. Comedy has turned to tragedy!

Alcandre, however, once again assures Pridamant that all will be well. He advises him to go to Paris where his son is — living! The final explanation removes all confusion and it’s comedy again! Life, love are chimerae; who knows what is real?

What we do know for sure is that this production is top notch. The set is simple, efficient, and effective (Frank McCullough). The sound is magical and contributes greatly to the show (Jorge Cousineau). The lighting is wonderfully done (Jerold R. Forsyth). And the action, using all these elements, is smooth and moving. Credit Harriet Powers for direction that never lets us down.

This is a brilliant evening of magic in the theater. “The Illusion” is “the real thing.”