Throughout the next 90 minutes, A Death-Defying Escape! tells the story of one of the first female magicians in America, Judy Carter. Lee Costello directs the three-person cast, Carter and two supporting actors (Kevin Scott Allen and Lyndsi LaRose) who play a variety of roles in Carter’s life, including her disabled sister Marsha, her abusive alcoholic father, her depressive narcissistic mother, her Russian grandmother, and her much younger lover.
Young Judy, played by Carter, locks herself in the bathroom at a birthday party. She hugs her magic set, shaking, desperately trying to combat an anxiety attack, paralyzed with fear. Judy’s mother bangs on the bathroom door. She begs Judy to come out of the bathroom and tells her that all the other kids are waiting for the show to begin. In a heartbreaking exchange, Judy asks her mother what her sister, Marsha, did that was so bad that she had to be sent away. Judy’s mother explains that Marsha is institutionalized because they cannot afford to care for her at home.
Young Judy comes out of the bathroom with newfound determination, a goal. As Carter tells the story of her first magic show, she surprises the audience with impressive card tricks and startling illusions. She brings an audience member on stage for some of the magic, then seamlessly slips back into another dramatic act, always breaking up gritty, painful childhood narrative with hilarious and magical moments.
