OFFBEAT: Magician David Copperfield finally returning to Chicago

It's be a few years since entertainer David Copperfield has floated into the Windy City or even been at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

But he's about to reappear.

Broadway In Chicago announced Monday that the master illusionist will bring his new touring show "David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion" for a string of shows May 7 and 8 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.  

The individual tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday.

Although some of this show, from what I can muster from the press materials, seems very familiar to me, such as the following tease taken right from the media missive: "Imagine if you could win the lottery, travel to your perfect place in the blink of an eye, own your dream car, or turn back the hands of time. It all becomes a reality, every night."

According the show's publicist: "True to its title, "Grand Illusion" is the logical and incredible evolution of this conjurer's art, with Copperfield's goal in his "Grand Illusion" show to "take one's dreams (and maybe a few nightmares) and make them become reality, using his state-of-the-art wizardry."

"For magic to be relevant," Copperfield explains in this media pitch, "it has to evolve so it keeps up with, or even surpasses, the best film and theater. I want to base my work on what people really dream about. In the cinema, the audience watches the characters' dreams come true. Most of us don’t dream of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. But what affects people is realizing personal dreams, dreams almost everyone shares, that they thought were impossible. I show my audience every night that the impossible can happen."

Copperfield said his "Grand Illusion" show was partly inspired by an unfulfilled wish of his grandfather's that a lot of people share: winning the lottery and finally owning that one special thing you always dreamed of.

"We call it an 'intimate' evening of grand illusion partly because it's interactive," he said.

"In one of the pieces, for example, the audience discovers how to predict lottery numbers that will come up that night. They get to participate in illusions that blur the line between magic and reality."

Copperfield said another of the ways he delights audiences is when he magically brings an ordinary necktie to life, only to find out the tie has a mind of its own.

This show will also feature the spectacular and death-defying feat of Copperfield attempting to walk through the rotating blades of a giant industrial fan and "live to tell the tale."

For more information visit dcopperfield.com.

As for other show segments, they include:

* "Killer" - - In an "unplugged" moment of pure sleight-of-hand Copperfield performs "close-up" magic with a lethal black African scorpion. One of the most original, startling and dangerous effects ever, this unforgettable display of sleight-of-hand presents Copperfield with a true challenge to his will and dexterity, in a test that should not tried at home.

* "Squeezebox" - - Copperfield takes liposuction to a whole new level as this 6-foot-1-inch "King of Magic" gets squeezed into the size of a Prada shoebox.

* "Man v.s. Steel" - - David has walked through the Great Wall of China in the past. This time, he'll do it a little slower. Instead of walking, he floats through solid steel, proving that dreams can dissolve barriers.

* "Thirteen" - - It's the number that leaves everyone a little queasy. One of Copperfield's most heavily requested creations, 13 audience members chosen entirely at random vanish, leaving friends and family wondering whether to applaud or call 911. But fears are allayed as the 13 reappear, instantly, in the most surprising of places.

However, I'm also told all of these illusions are "subject to change without notice."

Individual tickets to for this show are $30 to $59 at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices or (800) 775-2000 or BroadwayInChicago.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.

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