On Friday, I attended the Forest Theatre Company’s production of “The Illusion” with my best friend from high school. Neither of us are staunch theatergoers, but both thoroughly enjoyed the play.
Forest Theatre Company is producing “The Illusion” through Feb. 22 at Madison Street Theater in Oak Park. The play follows a father who visits a magician to learn about his long-lost son. The magician shows him a range of scenes from his son’s life, though they aren’t quite what they seem.
The play’s dynamic actors delivered lines with such comedic timing that the audience laughed out loud several times. And at the end of the play, an unexpected twist caused my friend to slap her knee in joyous surprise.
In the carpool back to our respective homes, my friend and I discussed whether we actually understood the plot. It’s one of those that certainly leaves you with questions, but also an appreciation that you might never have answers for all of them, that art is subjective.
“Art is about love,” Richard Corley, Forest Theatre Company’s producing artistic director, told me in an interview ahead of opening night. “We have to love, and open our hearts to love, in order to be changed by art.”
“The Illusion” is a part of Forest Theatre Company’s first full indoor season with Madison Street Theater — and its first co-production with Madison Street Theater.
Buy tickets for “The Illusion” at https://www.forest-theatre.org/plays.
