My overall impression
Doug Henning once said “Magic plus theater equals art.” In this tradition, Bob Gebert has created Demystifying Magic, one of the most unique blends of prestidigitation and theatrical drama to hit the stage. Gebert’s acting and writing chop shine throughout the production. But it is his careful insertion of a parade of skillfully-executed magic effects, both familiar classics and new original creations, that cleverly express the main characters emotions, advance the story, and throughly entertain.
So much about this show impresses. The non-linear storytelling follows the exploits of Richard Ryder and his life in show business from age 5 to age 85, but non necessarily in that order. The show opens with the aged magician at his farewell performance, retiring from “80 years of doing tricks.” After an amazing opening effect, followed by a brief blackout, suddenly the 5-year old Ricky Rider Jr. (both played by Mr.Gebert) is standing center stage to perform another baffling trick. Blackout. He’s 85 again, continuing his reminiscences from the opening scene.
The show goes on, continuing to use jumps in time and character to reveal Ryder’s multilayered life and career evolution; from a commercially-successful yet shallow stage magician, to political activist, to disgraced entertainer after being blacklisted in the late 1940 by the House on Unamerican Activates committee.
Demystifying Magic doesn’t reveal magic secrets. But it does reveal a modern approach to the theatrical performance of magic, while bringing relevance to the magical effects through the dramatic arts. And that’s a pretty good trick in itself.
