SMOKE AND MIRRORS Extends Through 12/29 at The Road on Lankershim

What are you afraid of? Lifetime member of the Magic Castle, and accomplished actor Albie Selznickposes this question just in time for Halloween with a special Thursday night performance on Oct. 31, the same day Harry Houdini died in 1926. Come for the magic, the mystery and more new illusions in Smoke and Mirrors, the critically acclaimed show extended due to popular demand through Dec. 29 at the Road on Lankershim in the NoHo Arts District.

Earning rave reviews including a "Critic's Choice" from the Los Angeles Times and LA Weekly's "Go!", Smoke and Mirrors is one of the most beloved and longest running shows of the 2012-2013 season. For the month of October leading up to Halloween, magic acts including the famous Houdini Metamorphosis Trunk Illusion will be added in keeping with the spirit of the season and possibly conjuring the ghost of Houdini himself.

An after-Halloween party will include food and drink in the lobby of The Road on Lankershim in the NoHo Arts District while mingling with the cast members of the show.

Created by and starring internationally renowned magician and actor, Albie Selznick (Castle, Grays Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, etc.),Smoke and Mirrors is a semi-autobiographical, fantastical coming-of-age story about a boy who uses magic to escape reality after the death of his father. Interweaving spellbinding illusions, special effects, audience participation and surprising appearances from the hereafter, themes of love, loss and magic are explored in a highly theatrical, stylized production that combines imagination with the heart.

Longtime producer and manager of Albie Selznick, Michelle Grant emphasizes the special quality that keeps audiences coming back for more. "It is powerful and universal. People come to magic in different ways but they always find meaning and significance in Albie's personal narrative. The real magic is in the way this show leaves audiences feeling connected to something bigger than themselves. It speaks to and from the heart."

Announcing its sixth extension, Smoke and Mirrors will continue to run through December 29, 2013 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm at the Road on Lankershim, as well as the special Halloween performance Thurs. Oct. 31 at 8 pm with an after-party to follow.

Smoke and Mirrors is co-produced with Road Theatre Company. The Road Theatre Company was founded in 1991 and has a reputation for supporting, nurturing, and presenting new works. Deeply invested in the NoHo community and the neighborhood's revitalization, the company is a vital part of the community and educational outreach. The Road Theatre Company accomplishment of artistic excellence combined with outstanding production value, prompted the LA Weekly in 2010 to proclaim The Road Theatre Company "One of the best theatres of the decade" and the NoHo News to describe the company as "one of the finest venues for the newest and best American dramas." The Road's commitment to producing and developing new work has led to numerous plays being published and developed into film projects.

Family-friendly, (recommended ages 10+) the theatrical magic show will also debut an hour-long production called 'The Magic of Smoke and Mirrors' at Union Station on Wednesday, October 30 at 8 pm (pre-show at 7:30 pm) This special free performance co-presented by Metro (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority) emphasizes the agency's ongoing relationship and fellowship with the arts.

"We are honored to work with Metro in the historic and beautiful space at Union Station," says Albie Selznick. "Smoke and Mirrors is a part of the city and we are grateful to take our show to a venue beyond a theater space where people can see art in a highly accessible way."

"'The Magic of Smoke and Mirrors' will present highlights from the show," Michelle Grant adds, "in a bustling, highly trafficked area in downtown Los Angeles where visitors can watch a performance and experience a bit of magic in their commute."

Metro Presents is a new series of arts and cultural programs at Union Station, a beloved L.A. landmark. From music and dance to film screenings and beyond, programs are designed to attract new riders and creatively activate myriad spaces at the station. The series highlights Union Station as a significant regional cultural destination at the center of an expanding Metro transit system. The program is part of Metro Presents, a new series at Union Station. For more information: metro.net/unionstation

Smoke and Mirrors runs through Sunday, Dec. 29 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Special Halloween performance on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. with an after-party to follow. General admission is $34.00 (Halloween performance/party is $40.00). The Road on Lankershim is located at the historic Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood, 91601. For reservations and information, call 310-450-2849 or go to www.smokeandmirrorsmagic.com.

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