D'illusion: The Houdini Musical

D'illusion: The Houdini Musical – The Audio Theater Experience (stylized as d'ILLUSION: The Houdini Musical) is a 2020 album musical and audiobook created by Hungarian-American composer and playwright Bálint Varga and lyricist Lia Barcellona Tamborra, inspired by the life of illusionist and stunt performer Harry Houdini.

Background
The musical was originally performed in Hungary in 2005 as a semi-professional production of Varga and Mihály Kal Pintér entitled Houdini varázslatos musical (Houdini – The Musical) and then in a arena-style revival production on November 5, 2016 in Budapest, Hungary with Miller Zoltán in the lead role.

In 2018, Varga and Lia Barcellona Tamborra translated the script and lyrics to English in an effort to introduce the musical to America. Its first American industry reading, under the new title The Brothers Houdini, took place on December 18, 2018 at the Consulate General of Hungary in New York. The cast included Perry Sherman as Erik Weiss/Harry Houdini, Rico LeBron as Theo Weiss/Hardeen, Quiana Holmes as Bess Rahner, Wade McCollum as Samuel Weiss/Martin Beck, Amy Bodnar as Cecilia Weiss, Laney Allan as The Interviewer/Theater Owner [She]/Fortuneteller/Mina Crandon, Pilar Martinez as Daisy/Floral Sister, Terrell Foster-James as Gordon Whitehead (later renamed to Gordon Crowe) and Peter Scattini as Theater Owner. Nicole Hughes served as a production consultant on the libretto's English adaptation.

In early 2020, Varga and Tamborra were unable to bring the show to Broadway and released it as an audiobook. The cast included over 50 actors, voice talents and musicians from the United States, Hungary, Brazil, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore, all of whom recorded their parts remotely from April to August 2020. For this audiobook, Broadway actor Julian R. Decker starred as Erik Weiss/Harry Houdini, while Holmes, LeBron, Allan and Martinez all returned to reprise their roles. Varga supervised the final stereo sound mix, while Erik Cihika served as sound design consultant. The Audio Theater Experience was released on its website and different social media and streaming media platforms August 2020.

Narrative and documentary filmmaker Max Hechtman created a documentary about the making of the audiobook, which is scheduled to be released in December 2020.

Musicians

 * Reeds (Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone): Jack Murray
 * Trumpet 1 & 2 / Flugelhorn: Jay Meachum
 * Violins: Alice Silva, Moe Ferrara, Brigitta Bognár
 * Viola: Alice Silva
 * Violoncello: Brigi Borbély
 * Guitars: Marc Malsegna, Thayer Naples
 * Keyboards / Piano / Rhythm section: Bálint Varga

Music preparation and Electronic Music Programming: Bálint Varga