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The Illusion
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The Illusion Paperback - 1994

by Pierre Corneille; Adapted by Tony Kushner

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Reader reviews for The Illusion

From the publisher

"The most lavish and picturesque special effects are what come out of the mouths of the people onstage...Mr. Kushner makes words sing, swoon and somersault as no other living American playwright does." -Ben Brantley, New York Times

"Rapture comes naturally to playwright Tony Kushner, and in The Illusion, he plants a big swoony kiss on the lips of the theater." -Nelson Pressley, Washington Post

"[The Illusion] certainly has the stamp of Kushner's delight in language. This is a modern interpretation, filled with energy, colour and humour." -Telegraph (UK)

"Fantastical tribute to the magic of theater...You may resist its charms at first, but soon enough you soften and, intoxicated by Kushner's language and swayed by the music of his ideas, you submit to The Illusion's ravishments." -TimeOut New York

Tony Kushner's adaptation of The Illusion triumphs as a thoroughly modern rendering of Pierre Corneille's neoclassical French comedy while featuring the exquisite wordplay, beguiling comedy and fierce intelligence found in all of Kushner's work. An enchanting argument for the power of theatrical imagination over reality, The Illusion weaves obsession and caprice, romance and murder, fact and fiction, into an enticing exploration of the greatest illusion of all--love.

From the rear cover

Freely adapted by playwright Tony Kushner, The Illusion triumphs as a thoroughly modern rendering of Pierre Corneille's neoclassical French comedy, L'Illusion Comique. Already a favorite of theatres throughout the country, this adaptation offers readers the exquisite wordplay, beguiling comedy and fierce intelligence found in all of Kushner's work. The Illusion follows a contrite father, Pridamant, seeking news of his prodigal son from the sorcerer Alcandre. 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. Pridamant watches, enthralled by the boy's struggles, but only as the strange tale reaches its conclusion does the father confront the ultimate - and unexpected - truth about his son. An enchanting argument for the power of theatrical imagination over reality, The Illusion weaves obsession and caprice, romance and murder, fact and fiction, into an enticing exploration of the greatest illusion of all - love.

Details

  • Title The Illusion
  • Author Pierre Corneille; Adapted by Tony Kushner
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition 1st
  • Pages 96
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Theatre Communications Group, New York
  • Publication date 1994-10
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated
  • ISBN 9781559360906 / 1559360909
  • Weight 0.26 lbs (0.12 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.96 x 5.14 x 0.24 in (20.22 x 13.06 x 0.61 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: Ancient (To 499 A.D.)
    • Cultural Region: French
  • Category Plays / Drama
  • Library of Congress subjects Fathers and sons - Drama, Fantastic drama
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 94-29131
  • Dewey Decimal Code 812.54

Media reviews

Citations

  • Booklist, 04/01/1995, Page 1372

About the author

Tony Kushner's plays include Angels in America; Hydriotaphia, or the Death of Dr. Brown; The Illusion, adapted from the play by Pierre Corneille; Slavs!; A Bright Room Called Day; Homebody/Kabul; Caroline, or Change, a musical with composer Jeanine Tesori; and The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures. He wrote the screenplays for Mike Nichols's film of Angels in America and for Steven Spielberg's Munich and Lincoln. His books include The Art of Maurice Sendak: 1980 to the Present; Brundibar, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak; and Wrestling with Zion: Progressive Jewish-American Responses to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, co-edited with Alisa Solomon.
Among many honors, Kushner is the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize, two Tony Awards, three Obie Awards, two Evening Standard Awards, an Olivier Award, an Emmy Award, two Oscar nominations, and the Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2012, he was awarded a National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. He lives in Manhattan with his husband, Mark Harris.

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The Illusion: 0006 (TCG Translations)

The Illusion: 0006 (TCG Translations)

by Corneille, Pierre

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The Illusion: 0006 (Tcg Translations)

The Illusion: 0006 (Tcg Translations)

by Corneille, Pierre

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The Illusion (TCG Translations)
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)

by Pierre Corneille

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Paperback
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9781559360906 / 1559360909
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Theatre Communications Group, 1994-10-01. Paperback. Good. 0.2800 in x 7.9600 in x 4.9800 in. Edge wear.
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The Illusion
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The Illusion

by Corneille, P.

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9781559360906 / 1559360909
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Theatre Communications Group, 1994. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,200grams, ISBN:1559360909
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)

by Pierre Corneille

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Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781559360906 / 1559360909
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)

by Pierre Corneille

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Theatre Communications Group, 1994. Book. Acceptable. Paperback. THE SCRIPT! Not so pretty. ACTING EDITION SCRIPT will serve as a Starving Student Edition when you need an extra! Some shelf wear and edge wear to the covers. The dialogue flows nicely with just a few markings and highlighting. USEFUL FOR YOUR DRAMATIC NEEDS!.
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The Illusion
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The Illusion

by Corneille, Pierre

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781559360906 / 1559360909
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Theatre Communications Group, Incorporated. Used - Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)

by Pierre Corneille

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  • Paperback
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Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781559360906 / 1559360909
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paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)
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The Illusion (TCG Translations)

by Pierre Corneille; Tony Kushner [Adapter]

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Theatre Communications Group, 1994-10-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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