‘The Illusion’ at ASU
Playwright Tony Kushner
The Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and
Dance presents “The Illusion,” a play about the relationship between parents and children, in
Valborg Theatre on campus Feb. 29 through March 4.
Performances of this twists-and-turns
drama begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 through March 3, with a 2 p.m. matinee March 4.
Pulitzer
Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner (“Angels in America”) adapts the work of Pierre Corneille’s
“L’illusion Comique” by telling the magical story of Pridamant of Avagnon, played by senior Sean
Browne, who is desperate to reconnect with his estranged son.
He consults Alcandre the
magician, played by junior Victor Rivera, for assistance. From there, the play becomes a fantastical
journey of romantic, heartfelt passion and the important relationship between parents and children.
The Appalachian production utilizes a glittering set and elaborate costumes, which lend well to its
poetic, fairy-tale nature.
Associate professor Derek Gagnier directs the play. He describes
“The Illusion” as “the joys and pains of being a parent and a child,” and said, “While the
production is set in France in 1639, its parables could be as modern as last week.”
Gagnier
also hopes that the audience may recognize themselves in the characters portrayed by the talented
all-student cast.
Tickets are available in person at the Valborg Theatre box office Monday
through Friday from 2 to 5 p.m., online at http://www.theatre.appstate.edu/performances or by phone at
(828) 262-3063. Prices are $6 for students and youth (ages 6 to 18), $13 for faculty, staff and
seniors, and $15 for adults. More information is available online at http://www.theatre.appstate.edu.
The Valborg Theatre is located on the north side of Chapell Wilson Hall on Howard Street.
The door faces the back of the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on King Street. Parking on campus
is available after 5 p.m. in faculty lots, the College Street parking deck near Belk Library and
Information Commons, and the Rivers Street parking deck.
