Set in the early twentieth century, Illusion follows the extraordinary life of stage and film star Julian Eltinge, a legendary female impersonator who captivated audiences worldwide. As Hollywood rises and the entertainment industry transforms, Julian struggles to maintain both his career and his personal identity. Relationships, fame, and scandal shape his journey through the roaring twenties. Through music, spectacle, and intimate moments, the story explores the price of celebrity. Ultimately, the musical reveals the human being behind the illusion.
ACTOR #1: (M, Age 40+) BARITONE
JULIAN’S GHOST: (Age 60) The legendary star’s ghost.
CHARLIE KELLY:An Irish stage manager.
CHAUNCY COBB: An aging saloon stage manager.
MAYOR STONE: Butte’s mayor & E.C.’s father.
WALTER WINCHELL: A famous radio host.
ACTOR #2: (M, Age 12-40+) TENOR
JULIAN ELTINGE (Age 20+): A rising international star.
WILLIE DALTON (Age 12): A troubled preteen in Boston.
WILLIAM DALTON (Age 15+): A troubled teen in Butte.
ACTOR #3: (F, Age 20-50) ALTO
LOUELLA PARSONS: A Hollywood gossip columnist.
ACTOR #4: (F, Age 30+) ALTO
GLORIA SWANSON: A Hollywood movie star.
LILLA WYMAN: An Irish dance teacher.
SISTER ANNA: A Butte nun.
ALMA DRAKE: A theatre patron.
ACTOR #5: (F, Age 30-40) SOPRANO
MARY PICKFORD: A Hollywood movie star.
JULIA DALTON: Julian’s Irish mother.
EVELYN WENTWORTH A theatre patron.
NORA THOMPSON:A chorus member.
ACTOR #6: (M, Age 30-40) BASS/BARITONE
MYLES SYDNEY: A Hollywood director.
MICHAEL DALTON: Julian’s abusive, Irish father.
FURGAL FINTAN: An amateur auditionee.
MARVIN KLEIN: A theatre patron.
MICKEY MOON: A chorus member.
ACTOR #7: (M, Age 17-20) TENOR/BARITONE
ARCHIE VANE: A Hollywood stagehand.
E.C. STONE: A high school football hero.
CONALL O’SHEA: An assistant to the director.
BOBBY THE BARKER: A theatre barker. A show promoter.
FREDDY FLASH: A chorus member.
ANNOUNCER: Announcer’s voice.
ACTOR #8: (M, Age 30+) BASS/BARITONE
LIONEL BELMORE: A Hollywood silent film actor
LANKTON DRAKE: An actor & Julian’s lover.
DEWOLFF HALL: A flamboyant choreographer.
VINNY DI FUCCIO: An amateur auditionee.
JEBEDIAH TIBBS: A chorus member & The Musketeer.
JIMMY LAMB: A Butte barbershop customer.
EMMETT CRANE: A theatre patron.
ACTOR #9: (M, Age 20-40)
TENORDAX EAST: A Hollywood production assistant.
ROBERT BARNETT: Theatre’s Artistic Director/Julian’s mgr.
REGGIE HAWKINS: A Butte barbershop customer.
SILAS MCTAVISH: The M.C. at The Blue Range Saloon.
BART THE BARKER: A theatre barker. A show promoter.
FREDDY FLASH: A chorus member.
ACTOR #10: M, Age 20-40) BARITONE
JOHN BOWERS: A Hollywood cameraman.
CORMACK FLANAGAN: An assistant to the director.
TIMOTHY THOMAS: A Butte barbershop customer.
JOHNNY ZANDERS:A chorus boy & Willie’s one-night stand.
ACTOR #11: (F, Age 30-40) ALTO
VIVIAN LA RUE: A French movie star.
MARIE LLOYD: A British Music Hall star.
MAE WEST: A major stage & screen star.
GERTIE SCHNELL: A chorus member.
GINNY CASE: A Butte teenage punk.
ACTOR #12: (F, Age 20-30) SOPRANO
STELLA MONROE: A young starlet.
POLLY PLUM: A Marie Lloyd chorus girl.
HILDA FERNLEY: A chorus member.
RUBY SNOW: A Butte teenage punk.
JENNY STONE: E.C. Stone’s wife.
HAZEL KING: A theatre patron.
ACTOR #13: (F, Age 20-50) SOPRANO
BITSIE MORGAN: A makeup artist.
MAISIE MULDOON: A chorus member.
SADIE MILLER: A Butte teenage punk.
HEDDA HOPPER: A famous radio gossip columnist.
NINA RIZZO: A theatre patron.
TRIXIE LA TART: An aging chorus girl.
YOUNG LOUELLA: A Chicago Record-Herald cub reporter.
ACTOR #14: (F, Age 30+) ALTO
LORETTA VALE: A Hollywood costume designer.
MISS HAINES: Butte’s librarian.
DIXIE DEPRÂVED: An aging chorus girl.
DOLLY DIMM: A Marie Lloyd chorus girl.
PETUNIA BLOTT: A chorus member.
NETTY HARMOND: A female theatre patron.
Piano, Alto Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Drums.
