The master illusionist Harry Houdini once said, “An old trick well done is far better than a new trick with no effect.” A century later, that is more true than ever, as exhibited by The Illusionists, now appearing at the Kennedy Center, where they will deceive, delight, and even astonish you with illusions that are variations of tried and true principles—amped up on 21st century production values and adding a modern sense of excitement, mystery, and awe for an evening of first class entertainment.
Five all-star illusionists, David Williamson, billed as “The Trickster”, acts as the de facto host, with Kevin James (“The Inventor”), Chris Cox (“The Mentalist”), Pablo Cánovas (”The Unforgettable”), ad Hyunjoon Kin (”The Manipulator”), all living up to their monikers, combine to provide an evening of varied styles of magic and degrees of spectacle that equals a fun-filled, family-friendly evening of entertainment and wonder.
Williamson relies on audience work, especially with children, and an old-school, borscht belt comedian style of humor. But the magician under the bristly façade is a charming and gracious host, getting the most out of his junior assistants like the iconic Art Linkletter famously did, while charming them with what seems like sweet-intentioned, throwback parlor tricks compared to the new age acts to come.
James’ title comes from his accomplishments in that he invents and consults for illusions that have become staples for many contemporary acts, including Doug Henning, Penn & Teller, and David Copperfield. He gets great mileage out of a variation on the standard lady sawed in half, with an extended contemporary twist.
The smooth and dexterous Kim, a multiple award winning illusionist and current reigning World Magic Champion, takes manipulating, slight of hand, and conventional card tricks to a stratospheric level. His “trick” is basically producing an unending supply of playing cards that continue to multiply, evolve, change color, and lose and regain their markings. He subtly tells us there are no tricks up his sleeve by continuously pushing his tux sleeves up to an 80s-style length, as if one could believe he had that volume of cards hidden up his slender sleeve to begin with. The camera work on the big screen works best to Kim’s favor to show how impressive his slight of hand really is, even magnified for an audience.
The dashingly handsome Cánovas, from Spain, is indeed unforgettable, which is accurate yet simultaneously doesn’t do him proper justice. An incredibly accomplished escape artist, his acts are the most elaborate of the evening with dramatic staging, lighting, and mood music to enhance his performance. Even when he “explains” how he executes his final illusion, minds are blown with an additional layer of deception and incredulousness. He deserves a more descriptive stage name for his special abilities, which are….well, admittedly unforgettable.
Mentalist Cox is the memorable standout of the company, with his manic delivery and intense audience engagement. Selecting a handful of participants from cards they filled out pre-show (get there early if you would like to be read), and Cox astounds by providing strangers the most accurate personal information from astrological signs, birthdates, and family members names to vacations, favorite colors, favorite movies, and secret words secured before conversations start. His energy and self-deprecating humor (he introduces himself as the twin brother you never knew Rachel Maddow had) bond him to the audience as much or more so than his unorthodox methods of establishing energy connections. Yet with four audience participants and one onstage volunteer, he batted 1000, nailing every last detail of his divinations.
But these onstage artists, as anyone who has watched the spoiler TV specials knows, owe a lot to their backstage conspirators who physically and atmospherically enhance all their illusions. Director Jenn Rapp keeps the action flowing smoothly from the gentle interactions of Williamson and James with audience children to the breakneck pace of Cox peeling off reading after reading. Recognition needs to go to Camerawork by Brystin Ivey and Video by Karl Sargent who give every member the up close view to allow even the top tier seats a front table view to marvel in what they are witnessing.
Shannon O’donnell’s Wardrobe gives each an attractive cut in a style fitting their act and their personas: classy for Trickster Williamson, a touch of a contemporary mad scientist for Inventor James, nerdy chic for Mentalist Cox, suave and debonnaire for Mentalist Kim, and sexy bad boy for the Unforgettable Cánovas. Finish the plot with various forms of sexy dancewear for the eye-catching male and female magician’s assistants.
But the ultimate technical credit goes to Lighting Designer Travis Pigman, who provides all the purposefully dramatic lighting and, even more importantly, dark and shadows, to allow all the Illusionists to convincingly display and conceal everything to make their magic work to its best effects.
The whole spectacle has all the trappings of a top-class Vegas magic show swept from their stage magically to your home town (minus the travel expenses). This event is also a rare, great, affordable family-friendly introduction to the artistry of illusion beyond the scary-assed guy with the rabbit in the hat that showed up at your 6th birthday party. Do you believe in magic? You will. Because an evening of dazzling showmanship and rousing entertainment with The Illusionists will leave you speechless and wanting more.
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission
The Illusionists currently plays through April 28, 2024, at the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington DC 20566. For tickets, call the box office at 202.467.4600 or purchase online