Bob Jones’ one-act ‘The Last Illusion’ pays homage to Houdini

MADISON – The one-act play, “The Last Illusion,” is Bob Jones Patriot Players’ 2013 entry for district Trumbauer theatre competition.

Jonny Smith (Harry Houdini) and Olivia Skillern (Bess Houdini) will perform in “The Last Illusion” at Drama Fest 2013 on Oct. 29 at Bob Jones. (CONTRIBUTED)

The play will be presented at Drama Fest on Oct. 29.

“‘The Last Illusion’ was inspired by the creative mind of a senior in advanced production, Nathan Daniel,” theatre director Mary Davis said. “Dwayne Craft took the idea and wrote this amazing show.” Davis and Craft are co-directors for the production.

“I always wonder how Dwayne Craft can create yet another captivating story,” Davis said. “Year after year, he writes characters with honesty, humor and heart that pull us in and make us believe in the ‘magic’ that is theatre.”

Davis and Craft called upon accomplished magician Matt Adams to authenticate all of the show’s illusions.

“The Last Illusion” allows the audience to imagine the thoughts that crossed Houdini’s mind “while performing a ground breaking, death-defying illusion,” Davis said. “Memories of his family, his best illusions and his mission to debunk all frauds in the ‘spiritual world’ lead us to his final seconds as they tick-tick-tick away.”

The one-act play upholds historical truth as much as possible, which was important to the show’s integrity, Davis said. “The research to do so, while intense, was instrumental in allowing the students to delve deep into the characters they portray.”

Jonny Smith plays the role of Houdini, and Olivia Skillern portrays his wife Bess. Kayla Peel is cast as Houdini’s Jewish mother, Celia Weiss.

Chris Gunner portrays Houdini’s brother, Theo Weiss. Play originator Nathan Daniel plays Martin Beck, Houdini’s closest friend and manager. Marcus Mack plays the carpenter.

Keeping the story flowing are the four assistants played by Kayla Thompson, Kristen Alley, Emeline Earman and Emily McDowell. “We also have couples, audience members, a debunked medium, reporters and high-society people,” Davis said.

The student crew includes directors Kaitlyn Esteppe and Maegan Baldwin; tech directors Stephanie Lepper, Jimmy Boynton, Exavier Ayers, Nick Conklin and Kaitlyn Duez; costumers Sariah Robertson and Cassidy Macfarlane; and producer Delaney Mayer.