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Thursday, November 06, 2003 Stage: Magic men
By Barbara Scherzer
Las Vegas production shows are renowned for their showgirls and their variety acts. The latest wrinkle on the latter is the World's Greatest Magic Show, the city's first all-magic variety show. For this production, eight top-tier magicians each perform their two or three best tricks within a 10-minute spot. Although these illusionists are not yet household names, most have previously appeared in shows on the Strip. Here they display a killer caliber of hocus-pocus and give the audience an amazing evening. No stranger to this town, comic-magician Jeff Hobson delights as master of ceremonies and introduces each act. He also shows off his bawdy sense of humor while encouraging his audience to let go of their inhibitions. The laughs start to roll when Hobson first appears onstage in a brilliantly sequined red jacket, which he calls his "Liberace starter kit." Between the laugh lines, Hobson is a close-up trickster. He performs his interactive illusions with a deck of cards and he mystifies with his egg-in-the-bag trick. Next up is Joseph Gabriel, a classy tuxedo-clad magician who silently performs his close-up feats to the accompaniment of taped tracks. Gabriel is adept at transforming scarves into birds and back again. But he receives his biggest audience response when he causes a full-size cockatoo to emerge from a popped balloon. The Majestix take on the larger illusions and readily materialize exotic cats into their act. Nicholas Knight combines the artistry of magic with the magic of art. His routines, which revolve around paintings and a real live girl, are surprisingly inventive. Also inventive is Kevin James, who transforms a Vegas showroom into a white winter wonderland. The only disappointment is Dan Sylvester, a.k.a. Sylvester the Jester. Inspired by cartoons, his magical effects that include blowing smoke through his ears or removing his face with flypaper are silly and seem ill-suited for a show such as this. The showroom, which previously housed another magician, is redecorated with new props and pastel lights. Plan to arrive early, as roving magicians work their magic on the crowd; there is also a 15-minute pre-show. Producer Dick Feeney, who made his mark in this city with the long-running afternoon show Viva Las Vegas, is to be credited for putting a new spin on the variety format. With the exception of Sylvester, this show is likely to raise your spirits. Sat.-Thu., 7 and 9:30 p.m Sahara hotel-casino 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. South $55.95-$65.95 737-2515 |
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