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Reviews by name:
My Magic - My Way - The Psychic? - Strange and Unusual Hobbies
The Quantum Eye - Monday Night Magic
Criss Angel Believe - Nathan Burton Comedy Magic
Criss Angel Believe
- Reviewed by David Christopher
I had the opportunity to see Criss Angel's Believe presented with Cirque du Soleil in The Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It should come with no surprise that there were ads for this show all over Vegas and in every publication. Criss, if nothing else, is good at selling himself. The story line of the show follows a man with unnatural powers that falls in love with a beautiful woman, fights a battle of good and evil, and in the end he gets the girl. Or that's what they want you to see. In my opinion the story comes and goes.
First of all, I didn't feel like Criss and Cirque meshed well at all. There were Criss parts and there were Cirque parts. Actually, aside from interactions with the Cirque clowns, the only things that tied everything together were the costumes and scenery, which were great! The preshow entertainments that are expected at a Cirque show were enjoyable. Then Criss made his entrance and did a run-of-the-mill mentalism effect. He goes into some illusions and gets zapped by a bolt of electricity. He's knocked out from the shock, he's rushed to the hospital, and the rest of the show is a dream. The dream starts with a dance of the bunnies and the illusion of bunnies tearing Criss apart and the clowns putting him back together. I thought that was a good start.
Other parts of the show that I enjoyed would be Criss' dove routine. It was simple, well rehearsed... delightful. I enjoyed a few tied in bits from his TV series including the sewer mat bit. Criss also walked down a drop that was part of a wedding dress in the same fashion as he walked on walls for his TV series. That was nice. Also enjoyable was the choreography of the show. The ensemble was choreographed in a modern style, very appropriate for the show. Delightful! And the costumes were very cool as well.
The cons, however, outweigh the pros. The script was terrible... now there wasn't too much of a script for this show. There were some funny bits with the clowns... Criss talked a lot, and his adlibing was just sad. Speaking of Criss talking... Is anyone else beginning to feel like he is exploiting his father's death. Between his book, his show, interviews he's done... I say enough already.
The pace of the show was too slow, the transitions were long, too many pauses, Criss lacked stage presence, his double was obvious, his monster switch was obvious, all of the things that Criss doesn't have to deal with on TV were his downfall in this show. The storyline was unclear, Criss and Cirque did not mesh... all I can say is this: Criss appears to be a very inexperienced stage performer. He's got a lot to learn. Most people have to be at the top of their game before getting a gig this big. The only game Criss is at the top of is the "marketable look" game.
I understand where Criss is trying to take magic performance with this show. It just doesn't work for him. Magic has always been a presentational stand-alone thing. Magic can be much more and much less. Humor me. Magic is not just magic. Magic is a vessel we use to express ourselves to our audience. A good analogy would be a singer singing a song. It's not about the song, it's about the singer and what that singer is trying to communicate to us. Magic is a wonderful element of performance, but it's just that, an element. Tell your story and use magic as the art of expression. Magic needs to accept the question "Why?" Why did you cut yourself in two? What's the story behind the floating zombie ball? Magic is also something that enhances as an underlying layer. Why just walk over to your bride, instead her dress is a drop that hangs from the fly and you walk down her dress as if you are floating or weightless. I can see that Criss attempted this in his show, with the story line and less presentational magic here and there... but it will take a more talented magician with more stage presence to accomplish it. There are plenty of them out there, I've seen them.
Criss Angel Believe will be playing at the Luxor in Las Vegas for the next 10 years. I give it 3 years tops. Don't miss it. Or do. By the way, Criss' mom and Holly Madison were at the performance I attended.
Nathan Burton Comedy Magic
- Reviewed by David Christopher
Nathan Burton is currently presenting his Comedy Magic show at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. Performing a family oriented show, you will find something for every family member to enjoy. This show is presented in the more standard style of stand up magic with some comedy thrown in. The comedy isn't laugh out loud funny, but enjoyable by all ages.
Nathan is backed by three gorgeous dancers, their costumes are skimpy to Disney standards. The choreography is cute, but forgettable. Very standard magician assistant pop jazz. Nathan does a few of my personal favorite illusions including the bowling ball from sketch pad, the vanishing beer bottle... to name a few. He also has some illusions with a refreshing look to them including the UPS box illusion, the Bambie box production, his levitation box, and his three assistant production box.
Nathan has a pleasant demeanor, but he lacks energy and excitement. The most exciting thing he did was vanish and appear in the audience. Aside from that, it was a very relaxed kind of show.
After a series of illusions, Nathan introduced Russ Merlin. I more than enjoyed Russ Merlin, I was volunteered to be a part of his act. Yeah, see the picture to the left with the four masks? I wore the mask with the blonde hair and the pouty red lips. Hot.
Nathan returned, after I warmed up the audience for him, and continued on with some fun illusions. All in all it was a good show. Good for the whole family. I feel that Russ Merlin outshined Nathan with his comedy and pace, but this show needs that excitement.
Nathan Burton's Comedy Magic is Playing at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. If your visiting Vegas, be sure to book tickets for this show. I recommend it.
