I recently had the opportunity to witness a spectacular magic performance in Manhattan. The mesmerizing show took place at a beautiful theater in the heart of the city, and it was truly a night to remember. From the moment the curtains opened, the audience was transported into a world of wonder and illusion. The magician's abilities were truly extraordinary. He effortlessly made objects disappear and reappear, performed mind-boggling card tricks, and even levitated right before our eyes. Each trick was executed with precision and showmanship, leaving the audience in awe and astonishment.
The Champions Of Magic cast present incredible interactive magic, a daring escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, a mind-blowing prediction that has to be seen to be believed, levitation high above the stage and a finale beyond explanation. The show happens all around the theatre and features spectacular illusions that can’t be seen anywhere else.
If you truly care about magic and you re doing it at a kid s bar mitzvah, where nobody gives a s t, well, it s heartbreaking, says DelGaudio, who began mastering complex card tricks as a disenfranchised 12-year-old growing up outside of Denver. They ve sold out shows across the globe, been featured on every major US TV network and racked up over 50 million views online but you haven t seen magic until you ve seen it live.
Each trick was executed with precision and showmanship, leaving the audience in awe and astonishment. What made this magic performance even more special was the interaction with the audience. The magician would often invite volunteers to participate in his tricks, adding an element of excitement and unpredictability to the show.
Celebs are flocking to see New York’s hottest magic show
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Published June 15, 2017 Updated June 16, 2017, 12:09 p.m. ET Magician Derek DelGaudio is drawing A-listers to the Daryl Roth Theatre. Carly HebertAfter selling out its initial run and attracting a star-studded audience, illusionist Derek DelGaudio’s hot one-man show, “In & of Itself,” has been extended through Sept. 3 at the Daryl Roth Theatre.
Its mix of confessional monologue and mind-blowing magic, all coming from a surprisingly unassuming man in a brown suit, has been drawing the likes of Josh Groban, Noah Syndergaard, Olivia Wide and Stephen Sondheim.
In a Los Angeles show before his current gig, the crowd included Barbra Streisand and Steve Martin — who was so tickled by “In & of Itself” that he took DelGaudio out for dinner.
While the performer’s stage presence eschews the smarmy flash of typical magicians — “I look like I could be somebody’s nephew,” he deadpans — the invitation from Martin might have raised a whoop of excitement. “Barbra Streisand told me she thought the show was incredible. I was, like, ‘Thanks, Barbra Streisand,’” says DelGaudio, sounding bored. “But Steve Martin coming up to me? That was fantastic. He knows about magic and performing and everything else.”
‘Steve Martin coming up to me? That was fantastic. He knows about magic and performing and everything else.’
Martin and others have been wowed by the show’s autobiographical stories — ranging from a tale he was once told about a Russian roulette player to his confession of catching his mother making out with her female lover as a young boy — and unexplainable sleight of hand. That he parcels out the magic stingily, with just six jewel-like tricks augmenting his verbiage, makes each act of wizardry all the more impressive.
Audience members are stunned when playing cards mysteriously rearrange themselves and a gold brick disappears before surfacing (“damn near instantly,” DelGaudio promises) at a Manhattan intersection randomly chosen by two audience members. Then the crowd becomes absolutely mesmerized as he inexplicably produces a letter from a loved one, written to a person in the theater. “Derek is a virtuoso — better than he needs to be,” says Penn Jillette. “And, yes, he is doing what he says he’s doing.”
Gigi Boyd, a 70-year-old psychologist from Santa Fe, N.M., attended a recent performance and received a missive there from her stepdaughter. “I was blown away,” she says. “And I am a skeptical person who is not easily blown away. It was amazing.”
Her husband shared the sentiment. “I’m a man of science,” he said, walking out of the theater. “I don’t have an explanation for how that had been done.”
The whole thing is even more incredible when you consider that just six years ago, DelGaudio’s fleet-fingered talent was being utilized by a gang of crooked gamblers. They hired him to be a bust-out dealer, using sleight of hand to fix underground high-stakes poker games in Beverly Hills, Calif.
DelGaudio mystifies his audience with a gold brick. Annie Wermiel
DelGaudio’s participation as the dealer guaranteed that a shill, under the employ of the house, would win big bucks. The duplicity earned him a cut of each night’s haul. But it came at a cost: “Every single moment was scary. You are living a lie, doing something not normal, and you never know what the repercussions can be.”
Back then, DelGaudio — about whom David Blaine texts, “He’s great. Love that guy” — had all but given up on making it as a stage magician. Intermittently, through much of his 20s, he earned good money doing private performances, but something was amiss.
“If you truly care about magic and you’re doing it at a kid’s bar mitzvah, where nobody gives a s–t, well, it’s heartbreaking,” says DelGaudio, who began mastering complex card tricks as a disenfranchised 12-year-old growing up outside of Denver. He dropped out of high school in ninth grade and devoted much of his life to the craft. “There is more dignity in waiting tables than in doing something so painful.”
As for as the card-rigging gig’s allure, DelGaudio found himself seduced by “people who see commercial value to what you do.” All of a sudden, “your skill set, that was too trivial to keep kids engaged, gets the attention of serious guys who can’t believe what they are seeing — and, believe me, they have seen a lot. Now you are the golden goose and being treated very well. First time I met these guys, they asked me to basically audition. I demonstrated a few techniques, and their jaws dropped. They gave me $300 for 15 minutes of doing stuff that I would have done for free.”
DelGaudio might have kept it going if not for a conversation he had with a friend steeped in the world of crooked gambling. “He told me that I had to stop,” says DelGaudio. “He told me, ‘There is only one way this can end — badly.’”
Emboldened, perhaps, by the experience, DelGaudio refocused on stage magic, this time without compromise or pandering, and turned his criminal experience into a TV treatment that got snatched up by HBO. Clearly, things are now moving in a direction that is anything but bad.
Recalling recent post-show encounters with David Cross, Jason Sudeikis and Mandy Patinkin, DelGaudio says, “I always dreamed about meeting my heroes backstage after their performances. I never dreamed that they would come to meet me, backstage, after my show.”
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Watching the reactions of the participants as they became part of the magic was a delight in itself. The stage was set with elaborate props and backdrops that enhanced the overall ambiance of the performance. The lighting and sound effects added to the thrill and suspense, creating a truly immersive experience for the audience. The combination of visuals, music, and talent made for a truly spectacular show. Throughout the performance, the magician's charisma and stage presence were captivating. He effortlessly engaged with the audience, keeping us on our toes and constantly surprised. His humor and quick wit added a lightheartedness to the show, making it enjoyable for audience members of all ages. By the end of the performance, the audience was left in complete awe and disbelief. The magician's skill and showmanship delivered an unforgettable experience that will be remembered for years to come. It was a night of enchantment and wonder, and I feel privileged to have been able to witness such a remarkable magic performance in Manhattan..
Reviews for "Enthralling Magic: Spectacular Performances in Manhattan You Can't Miss"
- John Doe - 2/5 rating - I was really disappointed with the "Spectacular magic performance in Manhattan." The tricks were not as mind-blowing as I had expected, and most of them I had already seen before. The magician lacked originality and failed to engage the audience. Overall, it felt like a mediocre performance that didn't live up to the hype.
- Jane Smith - 1/5 rating - I have to say that the "Spectacular magic performance in Manhattan" was a complete letdown. The tricks were so predictable and poorly executed that it was embarrassing to watch. The magician seemed unprepared and disinterested, which reflected in the lackluster performance. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this show.
- Robert Johnson - 2/5 rating - I attended the "Spectacular magic performance in Manhattan" with high expectations, but unfortunately, it fell short. The magician's tricks felt stale and unimpressive, leaving me unenthusiastic throughout the show. The overall pacing of the performance was also off, making it difficult to stay engaged. I was hoping for an awe-inspiring experience, but I left feeling underwhelmed.
- Emily Thompson - 1/5 rating - I regretted attending the "Spectacular magic performance in Manhattan." The magician's performance was lackluster and lacked any sense of excitement. The tricks were outdated and predictable, failing to capture my attention. I would advise looking for a different magic show in Manhattan if you're seeking a thrilling and memorable experience.