"...a very pleasant evening, ususual and entertaining"

The Illusion by Pierre Corneille,
Adapted by Tony Kushner
Directed by Richard Corley

May 25th — June 24
Playing: Thursday through Saturday at 8pm;
Plus Monday through Wednesday performances,
June 19-21 at 8pm and a Sunday matinee, May 28 at 2pm.

Berkshire Theatre Festival  |  berkshiretheatre.org
P.O. Box 797, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Box Office: 413-298-5576
E-mail:info@berkshiretheatre.org

May 27, 2006 performance reviewed by Sandy Michel.

"The Illusion," a play combining 17th century writer Pierre Corneille's script of farcical humor depicting life, love, and relationships, with the biting wit and cutting insight of Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner, could have been a challenging artistic experience.

Corneille uses a dated theatrical tool of a magician, Alcarde, to propel time and relationships into a hopefully acceptable venue to a now modern theatre audience. Kushner, who interprets this script freely, is very familiar with the use of a 21st century "deus ex machina." His award-winning HBO production "Angels in America" updates illusions and fantasies with much wit, sarcasm, and alarming insight.

I feel that director Richard Corley misses the talent of Kushner and thus this production is lacking. This tale of the many experiences of love and particularly the father-son relationship is produced in a surface manner. The immense importance of theatre and art to the portraying of life - painful, farcical, and trite, is lost to Corley's interpretation. The power of the Kushner script is ephemeral.

The acting of several talented performers, however, made the evening an enjoyable experience. The biggest crowd pleaser was Sarah Kauffman. Her charm and charisma lent to the appreciation of the parts she portrayed.

Alcandre, the magician, was large, both in size and in the power of his wit, humor, and the many illusions he created.

Also quite entertaining were Kevin Dwyer and Philip Sletteland. Sound designer Andrew Skomorowsky crafted illusions that were enchanting and captivating - especially the background effect before the play.

All in all, it was a very pleasant evening, ususual and entertaining; we are looking forward to the rest of thye 2006 Berkshire theatre season.