BWW Previews: THE ILLUSIONISTS 'LIVE FROM BROADWAY' at The Playhouse

At age 10, how many of us know what we were born to do? The two most celebrated graduates of my alma mater, 50-year old Brandywine High School are 'one bourbon, one scotch, one beer' George Thorogood and Tony Award-winning actor Johnny Gallagher. Honor Role at BHS? Not even close. Neither graduated.

They knew their destiny and needed to move quicker than perhaps their parents would have wished.

(Thorogood, chomping on his bad boy rep, did throw a 'bone' to his birthplace, originally calling his band The Delaware Destroyers. He appears periodically at The Grand).

Kevin James, self-named "The Inventor" of the 5 man THE ILLUSIONISTS "Live From Broadway" @ The Playhouse from December 21-23, was of the Thorogood/Gallagher breed. James grew up in a small town of 2000 in MI. There were no magicians in his yellow pages.

At age 10 his parents took him to a magic show in a neighboring town 5 x's the population. That was both the opener and the closer for James. He was hooked.

Lions Clubs, corporate gigs, some college (for Plan B) and then - when of age, to LA - "The Magic Capitol of the World". He snagged a bartending gig in a 'magic-oriented' restaurant where he would perform feats of legerdemain; creating flashfires on napkins or dollar bills and otherwise do whatever it took to shock and entertain the customers. The next move was to the Crazy Horse in Paris, 'the Mt. Olympus of variety arts entertainment'. (Magicians fall under the term 'variety entertainment').

James works daily on perfecting his craft. "I never stop. Always I have 2 dozen illusions in the pipeline. I use illusion as an artform to communicate to the audience. It is very, very visceral. It transcends barriers. I love to see and hear the responses of everyone in the audience, but most especially the kids. Who knows, maybe one of them will be inspired to follow whatever dream they have?"

Among the others in this wildly popular extravaganza, James was head-hunted by a producer who wished to create an all-encompassing event to wow audiences in magic and illusion. He asked each of those auditioned what title they might give themselves.

Joining "The Inventor"James is:

• "The Futurist", Adam Trent, who fuses technology illusions, dancing and comedy with classic techniques.
• "The Weapon Master", Ben Blaque, the foremost master of the crossbow, who has appeared on America's Got Talent. He performs acts of dexterity to shoot various objects supported by his assistant. (Two notes: 1) The crossbow was a cheap and impressive instrument of death. I thought it was created in the Middle Ages in Europe. Wrong. It was the ancient Chinese. 2) Hopefully, Blague has had the same assistant during the entire tour. Otherwise, it might get messy).
• "The Manipulator", Florian Sainvet, a futuristic manipulator and illusionist.
• "The Escapist", Krendl, as a child, was fascinated with Houdini's infamous escapes. The challenge of doing things that are said to be impossible is his motivation.

The national tour began 6 years ago in Europe and was followed by forays into major US markets, including Broadway. Standing O's are the norm from patrons whose dropped jaws are only righted an hour or so after the performance. There are now 2 units touring in both Canada and the smaller US markets, including The Playhouse.

Kevin James is in the steampunk glasses.

December 21-23 ThePlayhouseDE.org 302.888.0200

Next Up: December 22-23 First State Ballet Theatre @ The Grand THE NUTCRACKER TicketsAtTheGrand.org 800.37.GRAND

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