Everybody loves a magic
show and the illusions that actor and super magician Albie Selznick demonstrates
certainly amaze and delight. There is the levitating pretty lady, the live
doves that appear and disappear, the swallowed razor blades, the Houdini escape
trick, and card tricks to baffle us all.
Also, Selznick has added the story of
his childhood and explains how, after losing his father mysteriously at an
early age, he started on a lifelong search, through illusion, for an invisible
man. It’s a poignant story and, while it humanizes his dedication to magic, it sometimes
puts a pall on the otherwise mischievous goings on.
There is one audience participation
segment that seemed suspiciously contrived when a large white ball morphed into
an all-knowing Oracle and interacted with a member of the audience. At this
performance, the gal in the hot seat seemed to be a plant and the segment lacked
the very magic it proposed to reveal. However, if you bring some young people maybe
you, or one of them, will be selected to meet the Oracle and that episode will
prove to be smoke and mirrors indeed.
Lively assistance is given
by Joey Dworsky, Laurie Huff, Kyle Bryan Hall, Michael Heiman and Alix
Koromazy.
Directed by David Schweizer and produced by Michelle Grant.
At the Odyssey Theatre,
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. through Dec. 20. Tickets: 310-477-2055 x2 or www.OdysseyTheater.com.
Info at www.smokeandmirrorsmagic.com.
Magic Monday! During the
run of Smoke & Mirrors there will be a weekly cabaret show Monday evenings with
a lineup of magicians every week. Info at: 310-450-2849 or check out www.magicmondayla.com
Photos by Lisa Bevis
Also reviewed in the December issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
Also reviewed in the December issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.
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