Magic Trick

by Jack MacCarthy

Bana, a beautiful paraplegic who everyone falls in love with, is missing. Eric, her (ex?) boyfriend, can’t find her. Clara, that burlesque dancer they almost had a threesome with, gets naked and won’t leave his apartment. And just when he thinks it might all be over, Eric finally finds Bana…on the burlesque stage. Magic Trick is a nonlinear story of heartbreak and burlesque, jumping time in the tradition of...

Bana, a beautiful paraplegic who everyone falls in love with, is missing. Eric, her (ex?) boyfriend, can’t find her. Clara, that burlesque dancer they almost had a threesome with, gets naked and won’t leave his apartment. And just when he thinks it might all be over, Eric finally finds Bana…on the burlesque stage. Magic Trick is a nonlinear story of heartbreak and burlesque, jumping time in the tradition of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Last Five Years. With characters that are complicated, funny, and above all human, this is a portrait of people figuring out what it means to be in love while also staying true to oneself.

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Magic Trick

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Magic Trick

    An incredible story of what it means to survive heartbreak and break out with a greater power, while at the same time honestly questioning our choices. Well done.

    An incredible story of what it means to survive heartbreak and break out with a greater power, while at the same time honestly questioning our choices. Well done.

  • Scott Sickles: Magic Trick

    This play is a miracle of structure and character. It unfolds like an elegant fan, each side telling different perspectives of a complicated story that converges as it refolds. A sexy, daring burlesque noir.

    Also, Stage Kitten! (She kittens the stage.)

    This play is a miracle of structure and character. It unfolds like an elegant fan, each side telling different perspectives of a complicated story that converges as it refolds. A sexy, daring burlesque noir.

    Also, Stage Kitten! (She kittens the stage.)

  • Jason Aaron Goldberg: Magic Trick

    Bringing together so many important themes and topics while also amazingly playing with form and structure is something I love and seek out. This play does all of it very well. Highly recommend.

    Bringing together so many important themes and topics while also amazingly playing with form and structure is something I love and seek out. This play does all of it very well. Highly recommend.

View all 6 recommendations

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Culture Project, Year 2012

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Fringe NYC, Year 2012
  • Type Professional, Organization Caps Lock Theatre, Year 2015

Awards

  • Doric Wilson Independent Playwright Award
    New York Innovative Theatre Awards
    Winner
    2013
  • Lotos Foundation Prize in the Arts and Sciences
    Lotos Foundation
    Winner
    2012