Now You See It...

Illusion is an amazing thing. Having been bitten by the theatrical bug many moons ago, I am totally taken with illusion. After all, that's what theatre is. Everything in view of the audience is crisp, perfect, beautiful. What you don't see is the duct tape, spit, and hard work that goes into creating a fabulous set.

A rainbow lights splash ambience onto the stage. But high above on the catwalk are huge cans fitted with light bulbs and colored plastic pieces called gels. Cables run from the lights to the patching network which runs to a board.

From my early childhood, I've been fascinated with illusion. The Christmas tree growing during the Nutcracker ballet. Cats dancing and singing to Andrew Lloyd Webber's music. A barricade built midstage in two minutes flat during Les Miserables.

I've even been part of some of the most astounding illusion. I'll never forget my first trip to Disneyland, standing atop the bridge that goes over Pirates of the Caribbean (the original!). A little production called Fantasmic!  had caught us up in the crowd, and we just had to watch. From the very first chord that accompanied a beam of light that shot straight into the air, to the disappearance of Mickey Mouse at the very end, I stood transfixed. Across the water, within just a few seconds, a huge dragon appeared out of nowhere! I bawled my eyes out because the magic was so overwhelming!

Who knew that just a couple months later, I'd be introduced to that very dragon affectionately known as "Bucky." I got to learn up close and personal how that magic is made. I spent three years in the Magic Kingdom...and everyday I saw the beauty and marvel of illusion created. It's something that has stuck with me, and I've missed it since.

I love illusion. I love creating it. So much so, that I must admit, I use it all the time. Even if something is bothering me internally, I paste a smile on my face. Isn't that the way it is with prideful human beings?

The problem, though? I see when illusion goes wrong. I notice when the Styrofoam trees that give atmosphere to the children's area at church are scuffed and scraped up at the bottom. I can tell when a cue is missed. And
it stinks. The illusion fails, and my heart breaks just a little.

And perhaps, that's why I write. I can create a universe of fantastic illusion that removes the normality of our world. We can escape. We can live in the mirror of our dreams. A place where illusion never fails. It's always shiny and mysterious and wonderful.

What is your favorite part of illusion? How do you like