SMOKE AND MIRRORS Reopens in North Hollywood Tonight Before NYC Run

The hit show Smoke and Mirrors created by and starring noted actor and lifetime Magic Castle member, Albie Selznick returns due to popular demand with new, spellbinding illusions and a darker, more poignant storyline under the recent inclusion of acclaimed director David Schweizer. Set to run in NYC in 2015, this limited engagement is the last opportunity to see L.A.'s most beloved theatrical-magical show before it disappears for its Off-Broadway premiere. The magic begins again at the Road on Lankershim in North Hollywood tonight, Sept. 13 through Nov. 2.

A story told through mind-blowing enchantment and mystifying slight-of-hand, Smoke and Mirrors is the semi-autobiographical, fantastical story of Albie Selznick and his journey to become a Master Illusionist. After suffering a formidable tragedy, Albie uses magic to misdirect his grief and eventually discover himself. Along the way, he is aided by a life-sized white rabbit, a spooky clairvoyant known as The Oracle, and Harry Houdini's wife, Bess. Through his myriad of adventures, magic takes on a variety of meanings both in spirit and spectacle. Dazzling as it is touching--the play incorporates visceral effects, incredible feats and thrilling illusions with humor, heart and sincerity.

One of L.A.'s longest running intimate theater shows, Smoke and Mirrors first appeared in the 2010 Hollywood Fringe to enthusiastic praise. Reworking the piece for a fully realized production, Selznick opened at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Sept. 2012 to rave reviews including a "Critic's Choice" in the Los Angeles Times and a Go! in the LA Weekly. Sold out houses prompted Selznick (a longtime member of the Road Theatre Company) and his producer Michelle Grant to move the show to the Road on Lankershim in North Hollywood. It was a natural fit as Smoke and Mirrors continued its run throughout 2013 with its last show on New Year's Eve. Rave reviews poured in throughout from critics including Dany Margolies of ArtsInLA to Steven Stanley of StageSceneLA.

An unprecedented run in Los Angeles gave "Smoke and Mirrors" the impetus to preview at The Producer's Club in NYC this summer, catching the eye of avant-garde and noted "theatre maker" David Schweizer. An award-winning, director of the stage, Schweizer is no stranger to the L.A. theater community having directed at The Mark Taper Forum, The Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Actors' Gang, Evidence Room and the Long Beach Opera. Now onboard to take "Smoke and Mirrors" to New York City, Schweizer in a recent interview on KPFK's Arts in Review with Julio Martinez, remarks on the show's creative trajectory and appeal to audiences.

"With this kind of show, it is better to keep it on the boards, keep it playing, rather than take a hiatus before moving it to New York. So I am happy to have this run of the show at the Road. It will just get richer and new things will be discovered. From the perspective of someone who works in New York, I get its great appeal to audiences, its great crossover appeal. It's got such a wonderful attitude. And this show has such a vibrant theatrical heart at its core, I think it has a potential to be quite successful and run a long time."

Smoke and Mirrors is co-produced with the 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.

Albie Selznick (Writer/Performer) is a lifetime member of the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood and is an award winning performer and accomplished actor. He began his career as a co-creator of The Mums, a popular boundary-breaking circus-theatre trio of the 80's/90's. The LA Times said, "The Mums do for the arts of Juggling and Magic what Elvis did for rock and roll." Andy Warhol gave them a two-page pictorial in Interview magazine, while the LA Weekly put them on their cover and called them "The Best Performance Troupe in LA." The phenomenon of The Mums went international when they opened for Duran Duran, Devo, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Berlin and Ry Cooder. Their fans included David Bowie and Sting.

Since then Selznick's work has ranged from world-class theatre to recurring roles on popular TV shows. On stage, he played the Fool in renowned director Robert Wilson's visionary production of King Lear, Mercutio in Deaf West's Romeo and Juliet and co-starred opposite Glenne Headly in Detachments. He starred in the west-coast première of The Water's Edge by Theresa Rebeck of TV's Smash, directed by Sam Anderson at The Road Theatre, where Selznick is a company member. On the small screen, Selznick is best known for playing Rabbi Ben for two seasons on Suddenly Susan and the evil D.A Owen Pomerantz on The Young and The Restless, he has guest starred on over sixty television shows including Castle, Dexter, Episodes, Grey's Anatomy, Southland, Desperate Housewives, NCIS, and all three CSIs.

Set design for Smoke and Mirrors is by Marie Jach and Jon Bremner, lighting design is by Derrick McDaniels, original music and sound design is by Dave Marling.

Performances of Smoke and Mirrors take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., Sept. 13 through Nov. 2. Tickets are $34. The Road on Lankershim is located at 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 91601. For reservations and information, call (310) 450-2849 or go to www.smokeandmirrorsmagic.com.

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