Derren Brown is many things, but foremost in his current show at the Cort Theatre is a consummate entertainer. His easy, warm and confident manner comfortably holds the audience in his sway for the entire evening. He can be called a mind reader, mentalist or "psychological illusionist" but at heart he is a magician. Each … Continue reading Review – Derren Brown: Secret
Magic
Review – The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
For the last several years an enterprising multi-magician group "The Illusionists" have parked for a limited holiday season run on Broadway and then gone out to tour America. This year it is especially themed to be a Christmas show though the dressing is rather thin and they call this one"Magic of the Holidays." I've seen … Continue reading Review – The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
The loss of Ricky Jay
Magician and actor Ricky Jay passed away this weekend at age 72. He was one of my favorite magician and I will always treasure his performance in one of my favorite movies "House of Games." I had the great luck to see him live onstage at Second Stage Theatre in "On The Stem." It was … Continue reading The loss of Ricky Jay
Review – Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders
Vitaly Beckman is a very talented magician. Many of the effects he designs himself and those he created are highly deceptive and impressive, even to a fellow magician. He focuses on paper magic and does it well. He combines multiple effects into smooth stories that work well. He starts and ends his act with impressive … Continue reading Review – Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders
Friends and Family along the Trail
While the instigating reason for my trip south on my Can-Am Spyder was to celebrate my mom's birthday, I took advantage of the trip to visit friends and family along the way. In Chapel Hill, NC I stopped to see my cousin Myra and her husband John. They were the consummate hosts and it was … Continue reading Friends and Family along the Trail
Review – In and Of Itself
In and Of Itself, ensconced at the Daryl Roth Theatre until mid-August is a very high concept magic show. It features Derek DelGaudio, directed by Frank Oz and produced by Neil Patrick Harris. The evening is long on meditation about identity and meaning and only fits about a half dozen illusions into the 75 minute … Continue reading Review – In and Of Itself
Go see some MAGIC in NYC!
We recently caught another edition of Monday Night Magic. This is a weekly event at The Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. Discovered a terrific classic magic performer Torkova, who was wonderful. There were imports Keith Fields & Lady Sarah from the UK who were lackluster (Mr. Blackstone wants his cage back). The featured performer was … Continue reading Go see some MAGIC in NYC!
And all through the house…
Shhh. What are you doing awake at this time? Don't you know it is Christmas Eve? Put the little ones to bed, explain to them what the heck a sugarplum is (and tell me while you are at it) and get those blessed sugarplums dancing in their heads. Sounds a little crazy. When they fall … Continue reading And all through the house…
HALLOWEEN!
Today is Halloween, a holiday initially signaling the end of harvest and approach of winter that goes back to Roman times. Eventually it evolved into the eve before the Christian All Saint's Day on November 1 or All Hallow's Eve - now Halloween. Banned by the Puritans but steadily rehabilitated in the Victorian era, it … Continue reading HALLOWEEN!
Your final chance to see Plays & Prestidigitation #9
Today at 3 PM is the final performance of Plays & Prestidigitation #9 - The FRIGHT Edition. If you haven't already seen it get to http://www.polarisnorth.org for more info and if you've already seen it - come see it again! This has been such a magical weekend and I have to thank the whole team … Continue reading Your final chance to see Plays & Prestidigitation #9
Come to see P&P #9!
If you are in New York today, come see Plays & Prestidigitation #9: The Fright Edition at 245 West 29th Street, Fourth Floor at 7:00 PM tonight (Saturday). Check out http://www.polarisnorth.org for details! Kudos to everyone who recognized this is not the correct show image - just checking to see if you are paying attention! … Continue reading Come to see P&P #9!
Opening Night for Plays and Prestidigitation #9 – The Fright Edition
If you are in New York I hope you will join us for our show at Polaris North Studio on 29th Street tonight and this weekend. It combines short plays and magical interludes. It will be a little scary, a little macabre, and lots of fun. There are several brand new short works and the … Continue reading Opening Night for Plays and Prestidigitation #9 – The Fright Edition
Lessons in the Patriarchy
A lot going on lately in relations between the sexes. Harvey Weinstein, Roger Ailes, Donald Trump, and so much more. Lots of public and private figures learning lessons and sharing tales and fessing up. Much weighing in on social norms and what must change. I found it in a much smaller forum looking for images … Continue reading Lessons in the Patriarchy
Plays and Prestidigitation #9 – The Fright Edition
If you are in New York City two weeks from today, I hope you will join me for Plays and Prestidigitation #9 - The Fright Edition. This is an occasional series I present at Polaris North, a co-operative of theater artists at 245 W 29th Street. We perform a group of short plays interspersed with … Continue reading Plays and Prestidigitation #9 – The Fright Edition
A great Monday Night Magic
This week I attended another version of Monday Night Magic at the Players Theater in Greenwich Village. The performers are different for each edition and I have learned to watch for certain favorite magicians. It was heartening to see a nearly full house and enthusiastic audience. You can check for more information at: http://mondaynightmagic.com/MainMenu.html First … Continue reading A great Monday Night Magic
Busy Times catch up – Show coming
Sorry, busy time getting ready for a show this weekend. I host with magic tricks, do the marketing, take the reservations, coordinate the tech, do the sound cues, and have two shows in the event (though my quite able director Pamela Wilson takes care of most of those). Lots else is happening but this is … Continue reading Busy Times catch up – Show coming
Hold the dates for Plays & Prestidigitation #7 – The Politically Incorrect Version
Periodically I present a series called Plays & Prestidigitation at Polaris North. I offer the opportunity for other playwrights to present short plays in an event I assemble, stage manage, create marketing and playbills, provide reception food and most importantly host and perform magical interludes between plays to stitch together the evening and cover scene … Continue reading Hold the dates for Plays & Prestidigitation #7 – The Politically Incorrect Version
The Illusionists – Turn of the Century
The current magic show on Broadway is an extension of The Illusionists franchise which has done two previous holiday season shows when short term theaters become available and also has an active touring presence. The premise is that you will get to see a handful of different magical styles in an evening doing everything from … Continue reading The Illusionists – Turn of the Century
Walter Thinnes 
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