The Magician's Sister

by Jami Brandli

*Winner of 2023 Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
*Winner of 2023 Stanley Drama Award

The Magician’s Sister follows the story of two sisters: the aspiring Magician driven by being the best, and the play’s narrator, who somewhat reluctantly serves as her “Wise Assistant.” When the Magician purposely disappears herself and leaves behind mysterious clues to solve, the Wise Assistant becomes obsessed with finding...

*Winner of 2023 Jane Chambers Playwriting Award
*Winner of 2023 Stanley Drama Award

The Magician’s Sister follows the story of two sisters: the aspiring Magician driven by being the best, and the play’s narrator, who somewhat reluctantly serves as her “Wise Assistant.” When the Magician purposely disappears herself and leaves behind mysterious clues to solve, the Wise Assistant becomes obsessed with finding her. As the sisters’ story dramatically unfolds over the span of thirty years—interweaving the present and the past—we witness the sisters struggle to fulfill their collective goals and conflicting individual desires, while they strive to perfectly execute Houdini’s famous “Metamorphosis” illusion. But at what cost? The Magician’s Sister explores the complexities of sisterhood, the ripple effect of family trauma, and the complicated pursuit and price of “being special,” while also incorporating the stories of real, historical female magicians and plenty of on-stage magic.

*The Magician's Sister was written as part of The Center Theatre Group's Los Angeles Writer's Workshop 21/22 and received a public presentation at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, September 2022.

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

The Magician's Sister

Recommended by

  • John David Westby: The Magician's Sister by Jami Brandli
    “

    This play conjures a story filled with humor and drama where memory and magic slam up against real life relationships and the burdens artists undertake. Two sisters, a magician and her trusty assistant, center stage as they work out their act while also working through family relationships and sibling rivalry. The story moves seamlessly through memory and present time in a quirky Vaudeville setting. Along the way we experience real magic tricks and meet women magicians of the past. Presto!

    This play conjures a story filled with humor and drama where memory and magic slam up against real life relationships and the burdens artists undertake. Two sisters, a magician and her trusty assistant, center stage as they work out their act while also working through family relationships and sibling rivalry. The story moves seamlessly through memory and present time in a quirky Vaudeville setting. Along the way we experience real magic tricks and meet women magicians of the past. Presto!

    ”
  • Blyss Cleveland: The Magician's Sister by Jami Brandli
    “

    "The Magician's Sister" is a fantastic and poignant play about loss and finding yourself as an artist and as a person in the world. I love how magic is integral to the plot and a metaphor for all the invisible and necessary work done to maintain relationships with loved ones. The plot raises thought-provoking questions about female magicians and performance in public life. There are many fascinating technical challenges in this play and I would love to see a full production.

    "The Magician's Sister" is a fantastic and poignant play about loss and finding yourself as an artist and as a person in the world. I love how magic is integral to the plot and a metaphor for all the invisible and necessary work done to maintain relationships with loved ones. The plot raises thought-provoking questions about female magicians and performance in public life. There are many fascinating technical challenges in this play and I would love to see a full production.

    ”
  • Rory Willats: The Magician's Sister by Jami Brandli
    “

    A dazzling play grounded by the sensitively-drawn relationship between two sisters—equal parts spectacular and precious.

    A dazzling play grounded by the sensitively-drawn relationship between two sisters—equal parts spectacular and precious.

    ”
View all 11 recommendations

Awards

  • New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater
    Kitchen Dog Theater
    Finalist
    2023
  • The Risk Award
    Finalist
    2023
  • The Stanley Drama Award
    Wagner College
    Winner
    2023
  • The Jane Chambers Award
    Women & Theatre Program and ATHE
    Winner
    2023