BWW Reviews: THE ILLUSIONISTS - WITNESS THE IMPOSSIBLE at the Kennedy Center Opera House

The Illusionists - Witness the Impossible is truly a sight to be seen.

As the show's name intimates, audiences are presented with an array of enchanting, jaw-dropping magic tricks, stunts, and spectacles. The seven stars of the production are each unquestionably talented and masterly; yet unfortunately, the marvel of The Illusionists is diluted by a sickeningly cheesy and generally overblown tone throughout the performance.

The show, which runs at the Kennedy Center Opera House until January 11, comes straight from a smash-hit limited engagement on Broadway, where it became one of the highest-grossing productions of 2014's New York City theatre season. Washington, D.C., is the magic show's first stop on a 30-city tour across the United States.

And audiences will largely be impressed. Each of the seven "illusionists" are, indeed, masters in their fields. The show's magicians-slash-characters are given names like The Escapologist (who performs an unbelievable Houdini-like escape act in a water tank) and The Trickster (who jovially cracks up the audience with a distinct blend of comedy and sleights of hand).

Each illusionist expertly presents his distinct form of magic in a number of scenes throughout the show's two acts (although a particularly disgusting act in which The Anti-Conjuror somehow saws dental floss deep into his neck to remove a Lifesaver candy was perhaps unnecessary). Most impressive, though, were tricks performed by The Manipulator, who hypnotizes audiences in a spellbinding flurry of playing cards, which become different colors, disappear, and transform into other objects.

Unfortunately, as soon as a trick is complete and the audience's focus dissipates, the show's annoying flaw reveals itself: a major overdose of laser beams and laughably over-dramatic musical transitions wind up marginalizing the incredible feats. Instead of enhancing each act, the cringe-worthy and unsophisticated production elements serve to detract from the overall performance.

The "less is more" principle is something the producers of The Illusionists should consider before their next venture. Fortunately, though, general audiences (particularly with families that have younger children) will have no qualms with the show. In the several instances when the illusionists prompted audience engagement, kids' hands were flying up across the opera house.

For those with orchestra-level seats, though, take that as a warning. Chances are high that you're in a zone to get picked to assist with a trick. Though I saw a number of frightened and jittery faces when a magician sought out an audience member's assistance, the illusionists are each endearingly affable. Every audience member that walked down the stage steps after helping with a magic trick walked down with an ear-to-ear smile.

I have no doubt that The Illusionists will continue their tour to packed houses. The performers themselves are undeniably worth snagging a ticket before the production departs Washington on January 11; head to the theatre, though, prepared to overlook the cheesy lights and music, and you'll be captivated by the dazzling performers that play underneath.

The Illusionists - Witness the Impossible runs January 6-11, 2015 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Tickets starting at $39 are on sale now by visiting the Kennedy Center website, in-person at the Kennedy Center box office, or by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.

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