David Copperfield's latest cavalcade of wonder, Dreams and Nightmares, played the Fox Theatre in St. Louis the week of April 10th- a fact which, all by itself, makes him unusual if not unique among contemporary illusionists. Because while nearly all of the celebrities in this field are playing Las Vegas, Copperfield still takes his big, spectacular show out on the road for brief stops in cities throughout the USA and Canada. It's nice to see that someone is keeping this tradition alive.
Dreams and Nightmares is classic Copperfield. Elaborate, flashy illusions alternate with intimate close-up effects, the latter made visible to everyone by a portable video camera. Moments of high drama alternate with inspired silliness. Volunteers from the audience (including yours truly) are used frequently. And the whole thing is wrapped up in Copperfield's unique "aw shucks" charisma.
My own experience as a magician in my teen years and beyond has left me with a love of the art and admiration for its better practitioners. I've seen my share of magic shows and am occasionally disappointed - but never by Copperfield. He continues to provide new and sometimes startling variations on traditional illusions while developing some stunning new effects.
In the former category I'd put his re-working of Blacktsone's classic buzz saw effect along with a brilliantly revisionist take on Houdini's "Metamorphosis", in which the magician and his assistant appear to exchange places instantaneously. In the latter category I'd include a levitation in which Copperfield appears to not only fly, but float around inside a sealed Plexiglas box. It's a trick that relies upon Copperfield's dance training as much as technology, which is what makes it unique to his act.
For me, though, the really magical moments are in the close-up effects. These include a take on the classic "color change" card trick that appears truly miraculous and a startling mini-levitation - performed in the aisle, among audience members - involving a small ball of tissue paper.
Dreams and Nightmares has already moved on to its next venue (find out where it is at www.dcopperfield.com), but given the size and enthusiasm of the audience I'd expect Copperfield to come through town again in a year or so. Don't miss him. He might even make it snow in the theatre again.