Mystery and action will be mixed with comedy when "Abracadabra," a
new magic show, makes its debut at 3 and 8 p.m. today at The Alex
Theatre in Glendale.
Las Vegas and internationally famous illusionists are scheduled to
appear in what officials hope becomes an annual family event.
Headliner for the debut is Ayala, a well-known illusionist in
Mexico and Latin America, who is a star at Caesar's Palace Magical
Empire and other venues around the world. Masks, spears, fire,
comedy, dance and swords are among the elements incorporated into his
theatrical, special effects-driven illusions.
Comedy illusionist and actor Ed Alonzo will be master of
ceremonies and is closing the first half of the two-hour, four-act
show.
"I am the misfit of magic," said Alonzo, who lives in Toluca Lake.
He played Max, the owner of the diner on NBC's "Saved by the Bell."
One of his tricks is to shoot a brick out of a cannon and attempt
to catch the brick between his teeth.
"My forte is, things start out right and then go into a
catastrophe," he said.
One of the most amazing acts in the show is Jason Byrne, Alonzo
said, a regular in Las Vegas, who does illusions with doves.
"He takes Play-doh and scrunches it together into the size of a
softball. When he cuts it in half, a dove pops out of the doh," he
said.
Dario Vazquez, whom Alonzo calls the fastest juggler in the world,
is also on the program. He has performed at Las Vegas casinos,
including Bally's, the Stardust, the Riviera and Circus Circus.
"He has a 10-foot triangle of connected pipes he spins," Alonzo
said. "It's pretty crazy stuff."
Tickets range from $10 to $30, and may be purchased at the box
office, 216 N. Brand Blvd., in Glendale, or by calling 243-ALEX.
WOMAN IN FAMED PHOTO CHRISTENS NEW PHOTO LAB
The photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse in New York's Times
Square is one of the most memorable ones taken on V-J Day in 1945,
the day of victory for the Allied forces over Japan in World War II.
Edith C. Shain, 84, the nurse in the photograph, will reminisce
about that war and give her views on the war in Iraq when she attends
the grand opening from 3 to 5 p.m. today of Jack Allen's new
photography lab, Dream City Photo, 2401-A W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
During the festivities, guests can have their picture taken with
Shain and the famous picture as a free souvenir, Allen said.
Restoring old photographs, especially those of famous Hollywood
stars, is the specialty of the multipurpose facility.
