My overall impression
Bob Gebert gives a fine performance in the role of a magician attempting the fill the very large and polished shoes of his magician-father.
Obviously an accomplished magician, with a great bed-side manner toward the audience, Gebert portrays Richard Ryder, a tired-yet-charming 80-something-year-old who reels in the years of his up-and-down career in show business.
The tricks themselves are amazing, but what stitches the arc of show together are the many heart-felt recollections of a life lived fully, and nobly.
In this one-man show, Ryder’s muse, his wife, has passed away — so many of the remembrances are tinged with a sadness that is in stark contrast to the magician’s usual up-beat and cool manner.
All this serves to humanize the character of the performer — whose technically excellence is now grounded in a soulfulness that is moving.
The audience can embrace the result of director Ursula Mills’ handiwork here — with Bob’s full-throated portrayal of several dramatic moments of his life.
In sum, a life worth living. A show worth seeing.
