The Waterworks Players is holding auditions on April 29th and April 30th for its June production of Tony Kushner’s The Illusion. This work is adapted from Pierre Corneille’s seventeenth-century comedy, L’Illusion Comique, which follows a contrite father seeking news of his prodigal son from a sorcerer. The magician conjures three episodes from the young man’s life. Inexplicably, each scene finds the boy in a slightly different world: names change, allegiances shift and fairy-tale simplicity evolves into elegant tragedy.

Clint Wright will direct The Illusion, a play that has been described as weaving “obsession and caprice, romance and murder, fact and fiction, into an exploration of the greatest illusion of all—love.”

We are seeking eight actors for the following roles:

Pridamant of Avignon. A lawyer who is seeking to reunite with the son he drove away. Male.

Alcandre. A magician who allows people, such as Pridamant, to live vicariously through illusions that he creates. All genders.

The Amanuensis. As a servant to Alcandre, he is forced to enter the illusions for his master’s benefit. Male.

Calisto/Clindor/Theogenes. The son of Pridamant who has fled to escape his father’s tyranny. In the illusions, he is in love with Melibea/Isabelle/Hippolyta, though he also lusts for Elicia/Lyse/Clarina, as well as other women. Male.

Melibea/Isabelle/Hippolyta. The son’s great love. Female.

Elicia/Lyse/Clarina. The friend and confidant of Elicia/Lyse/Clarina. Female.

Pleribo/Adraste/Prince Florilame. The rival of Pridamant’s Son.

Matamore. As a lunatic, he is boisterous, crude, egotistical, and provides for much of the show’s comedy. Male,

Auditions will be held at 7:30 pm on Sunday and Monday, April 29th, and 30th at the Waterworks Theater. There will be cold readings from the script. In addition, we need a number of stagehands to assist during technical week rehearsals and the four public performances.

The show runs June 15, 16, 22, 23. 

For more information or to volunteer, contact the Waterworks Players at 434-392-3452 or info@waterworksplayers.org.