‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Enzo Weyne & cast. Photo: Joan Marcus

THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS
By various performers
Through January 5, 2020
Directed & choreographed by Neil Doward
Neil Simon Theatre
250 West 52nd Street
www.theillusionistslive.com

By Scott Harrah

The Illusionists is back on Broadway for the fifth year since 2014. Like last year, the 2019 iteration is called Magic of the Holidays. However, this year’s show features an entire new cast of wizards, sleight-of-hand specialists, mentalists and the like, from around the world. As in past shows, there is very little “magic” here one hasn’t seen before and anyone who saw the current Derren Brown: Secret might be less than impressed because Mr. Brown, in a one-man extravaganza, does most of the tricks and illusions that it takes six gentlemen to perform in Magic of the Holidays. Regardless, the show is a fun, entertaining two hours for families, tourists and New Yorkers alike.

This year’s performers include Eric Chien, “The Manipulator”; Chris Cox, “The Mentalist”; Dom Chambers, “The Showman”; Paul Dabek, “The Trickster”; Kevin James, “The Inventor”; and Enzo Weyne, “The Unforgettable.”

Paul Dabek, a delightful Brit, is MC for the evening and keeps everything moving along with corny jokes and witty banter. The show starts out with Mr. Dabek hopping on to the stage carrying wrapped holiday packages before introducing the entertainers. The show is certainly festive, complete with laser projections of various holiday scenes, a dancing elf and sexy holiday chorus girls.

2019 “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Eric Chien is the first performer. If you’ve seen any of the previous Illusionists shows, you’re already familiar with most of the “tricks” he does with cards and coins, with everything projected onto a big TV screen above the stage so you don’t miss anything, thanks to an onstage cameraman with a close-up lens capturing everything live. The card tricks you’ve likely seen before, but he makes them change color, etc. Mr. Chien, a native of Taiwan, was raised in the USA and currently lives in Beijing, touring around the world with his act.

“The Inventor” Kevin James is next. Mr. James is a founding member of The Illusionists and his act is mostly visual, complete with dazzling light projections, an elf, flying boxes, etc. He mostly does the old sawing-bodies routine that you’ve seen countless times in any “magic” show, but he also makes snow that sprays out over the audience, and a dancing paper napkin routine with an audience member.

One of the show’s highlights is “The Showman” Dom Chambers, a handsome, dark-haired Australian bloke with a fun stage presence and bubbly personality. Mr. Chambers, an “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist, is a comedian as well as a magician. His act consists of “beer sorcery” and engaging chatter in his thick Aussie twang, plus lots of tricks involving alcohol. However, the best part of his act involves witty banter with a smart-mouthed Siri (of iPhone legend) as she tosses out catty quips and jokes aimed at him, joking about everything from his dating skills to what his parents think of his life achievements. It’s hilarious. He’s a true-blue “ripper,” as they say Down Under.

“The Mentalist” Chris Cox is a wacky British nerd who starts out his routine by claiming he’s the twin of Rachel Maddow from MSNBC and flashes a projection of himself and Ms. Maddow to show how much they resemble each other. If you’ve seen Derren Brown: Secret, you’re already familiar with the routine of knowing someone’s celebrity crush and purporting to read audience members’ minds with various guessing games. Still, Mr. Cox is a lovable eccentric Englishman in every sense and gets lots of laughs from the audience.

The last performer is Enzo Weyne, “the Unforgettable” and you’ll mostly remember him for his chiseled, movie star good looks and charming French accent. He primarily transports objects and himself in various visual stunts, but one can see it’s mostly thanks to wires, lasers and light trickery.

The Illusionists shows have never been original, but they have mass appeal for tourists during the holidays. Perhaps that is why they keep returning to Broadway each December. The evening is mindless, entertaining fun and amusing enough to satisfy people hungry for seasonal family fare. In addition, this version has lots of audience participation, so it’s truly an interactive experience for everyone.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published December 8, 2019
Reviewed at December 5, 2019 press performance.

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: The cast. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Kevin James (center) & cast. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Dom Chambers. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Eric Chien. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Chris Cox. Photo: The Illusionists.

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Paul Dabek. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Eric Chien. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS’: Enzo Weyne. Photo: Joan Marcus.

The post ‘The Illusionists-Magic of the Holidays’ is back appeared first on StageZine.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Campbell Scott. Photo: Joan Marcus

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Jack Thorne
Directed by Matthew Warchus
Through January 5, 2020
Lyceum Theatre
149 West 45th Street
(212-239-6200), www.AChristmasCarolBroadway.com

By David NouNou

Stripped of the treacle and mawkishness usually associated with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Jack Thorne has adapted and reshaped this tale into what would now be termed an “alternate universe.” Although being a purist at heart, one who normally prefers traditional presentations, I was nonetheless fascinated and enchanted by how this story maintains most of the central characters, with slight tweaks and character modifications. Mr. Thorne’s adaptation has slightly changed the dynamics and perception of an oft-told tale, with all the fat trimmed off.

Thanks in large part to Matthew Warchus’ seamless and fast-paced direction; one doesn’t dwell on the traditional version because Jack Thorne and Mr. Warchus allow the viewer to see Dickens’ classic from a different lens. Ebenezer Scrooge (Campbell Scott) is still a miserly crotchety skinflint but due to Mr. Scott’s youthful appearance, Ebenezer now has some sex appeal. Here, Mr. Thorne inserts Ebenezer’s cruel and drunken father (Chris Hoch), to show how Ebenezer took the wrong fork in the road to become what he is today.

Scrooge here does have psychological problems and doesn’t really see the error of his ways. Scrooge is still visited by the ghost of Marley (Chris Hoch), his late lending partner. Marley warns him about the ghosts that will come to visit him after midnight, and he better change his miserly ways. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Andrea Martin), Ghost of Christmas Present, replete with a Caribbean accent (La Chanze) and Ghost of Christmas Future (Rachel Prather) all make appearances. Ms. Prather doubles as well his late sister Fan in a dual role. His change here isn’t so much out of moral obligation as it is expeditious.

The two standout performances are, of course, Andrea Martin, a delight as usual, and La Chanze is imposing; the Caribbean accent is a bonus in all-too-brief moments. What is lacking is a dynamic Scrooge. It is interesting to note here that Mr. Scott’s father was the late George C. Scott, a formidable actor who gave a brilliant TV rendition of Scrooge. Campbell Scott, although a fine actor, lacks the forcefulness that his father brought to the role.

All in all, if you are looking for a slightly reimagined A Christmas Carol, along with Christmas carols, including “Joy to the World”, Silent Night, and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” and a surprising immersive, interactive Christmas experience, I highly recommend this version. Coming out of the show, one feels the Christmas season has officially begun.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published November 24, 2019
Reviewed at November 23, 2019 press performance.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ (left to right) Andrea Martin, LaChanze, Campbell Scott (center) & Rachel Prather. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Campbell Scott & Dashiell Eaves. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Andrea Martin. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Campbell Scott & LaChanze. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Sarah Hunt & Campbell Scott. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Chris Hoch & Campbell Scott. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Campbell Scott. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: Campbell Scott. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’: The cast. Photo: Joan Marcus

The post ‘A Christmas Carol’: Dickensian with a twist appeared first on StageZine.

‘SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW’: Yellow clown in storm by Veronique Vial.

SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW
Created & staged by Slava Polunin
Through January 5, 2020
Stephen Sondheim Theatre
124 West 43rd Street
(212-239-6200), www.SlavaOnBroadway.com

By David NouNou

Seeing Slava’s Snowshow may conjure up memories of the hallucinogenic images that people who took “acid” experienced decades ago. In the 1980s, I dropped “acid” at the discos (most notably at The Saint) a few times and had some weird trips. You know those images from what we called “tripping,” where you are sitting on a banquette and you are too “toasted” to move, but the weird images keep floating past you. People having clownish faces, wearing strange outfits, garbled background noise, disconnected music and people just jabbering in front of you. All of it seems like you are in an echo chamber and things keep moving in and out of your head and all around you and you have no control over it. Having been clean for over 30 years now, sitting at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre last night, suddenly all those weird images and sounds resurfaced again.

Slava Polunin is the creator, director, and lead actor, dressed in a yellow bear-like costume with a red scarf along with six fellow actors, all of whom are dressed in similar seafoam shabby green coats (please view pictures for accurate description) and some sort of oversized headwear. By reading the Playbill notes, I discovered that these seven misguided souls are traveling through a winter landscape in search of joy and childhood innocence. Someone should have slipped me a Quaalude to put me on a more even keel in order to find joy and be in touch with my childhood innocence. Then I would have been flying in the same plane as the rest of the actors.

This is not really a pantomime, nor balletic movements, or even as remotely exciting as any show by Cirque Du Soleil; it is just random movements, random squeaky noises, and random effects, such as a cotton curtain-like cobweb floating over the heads of the audience sitting in the orchestra, being pushed to the back of the house and bringing us to the intermission

Act II starts with the audience in the orchestra being sprayed by bottles of water to simulate rain. Considering it was about 30 degrees Fahrenheit last night, one didn’t need to go out of the theatre wet. Also be prepared to have a high/low voice along with the actors. You have to be there to understand that one, and you will be pelted by tons of paper confetti from all sides.

The pièce de résistance is the finale. I must caution you that if you wear contact lenses, make sure your eyes are covered, because you need both hands to protect them for what’s in store for you. During the mandatory standing ovations now, you will also have a chance to bounce huge balls around the theatre with your fellow audience members.

Although Slava’s Snowshow is not for everyone, it has played around the world and won an Olivier Award and other accolades, despite what critics like I may think. I recall reading some wise man stating “too many empty Broadway houses gives the opportunity for too many shows that were meant for Off-Broadway to have a place on Broadway this season.”

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published November 13, 2019
Reviewed at November 12, 2019 press performance.

‘SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW’: Little houses in the snow by Andrea Lopez.

‘SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW’: Yellow clown in storm by Vladimir Mishukov.

‘SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW’: Crowd in spider web by Vladimir Mashukov.

‘SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW’: Cobweb by Andrea Lopez.

‘SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW’: Colored balloons in the audience by Veronique Vial.

‘SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW’: Clown & snowball by Veronique Vial.

The post ‘Slava’s Snowshow’: Tripping the night away appeared first on StageZine.