Joyce Rudolph
DOWNTOWN -- Internationally known magicians will appear right before
your very eyes when the 2001 edition of "It's Magic!" pops into The Alex
Theatre.
The show opens its four-day run tonight with stars who have appeared
at The Magic Castle in Los Angeles, around the country in Las Vegas and
Reno and throughout the world.
The show is the flagship for the organization that has been producing
programs for 42 years, Milt Larsen said. He presents the show along with
Terry Hill.
The main thing is total variety, Larsen said. There is magic, comedy,
cards coming out from nowhere, big illusions and the Houdini table
torture of death.
"We've got an all-star line-up," he said. "That's what makes it so
interesting. We bring a complete line-up of professional magicians onto
one stage."
Otherwise, an audience would have to go to Las Vegas and then to
Toronto, Canada, to see the acts, he said.
Headliner Brett Daniels hasn't been seen locally in a long time as he
appears mostly in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City. He has taken
his big illusions to Japan and Malaysia.
"He floats ladies in the air and all that other good stuff, Larsen
said. "And we have a comedian from Toronto, Derek Scott. He does audience
participation, and his magic is very comedy-driven."
Larsen, himself a magician, will get into the act during the Free
Brown Bag Concert from noon to 1 p.m. today in The Alex forecourt.
"I'll be there with my bag of handy-dandy tricks in an act
professionals call 'Walk-Around,' " Larsen said. "You go up to people and
entertain with rope trips and card tricks and the crazy things we do."
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: "It's Magic!" 2001 edition presented by Milt Larsen and Terry
Hill, directed by Dale Hindman.
WHEN: 8 tonight and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday.
WHERE: The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd.
TICKETS: $20 to $30.
PHONE: (800) 233-3123. For group information, call Connie at (310)
446-4398.
BONUS: Free appearance at The Alex Brown Bag Concert Series from noon
to 1 p.m. today.
