VIEWPOINTS – At Odds: Theater & Magic

Already this season, three shows, both large and small, have prompted me to contemplate the relationship between magic and theater. These two genres of performance strike me as diametrically and philosophically opposed to each other – or so I initially thought. Magicians depend on absolute illusion; to see the strings behind act is to undermine the entire endeavor. On the other hand, theater is, for the most part (barring Brecht’s approach to theater) is reliant one’s suspension of disbelief in order to fully tap into the the show’s emotional potency. Instead of absolute illusion, artful illusion is paramount in theater. But ultimately, isn’t magic just another form of performance, and therefore a form of theater? The three magic-centric shows I’ve caught (so far) this season have dealt with this uneasy, fascinating relationship in their own, varyingly successful, ways.

IMG_5398The Illusionists (SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED), which is currently enjoying a limited return engagement on Broadway at the Neil Simon, favors the power of magic over theater. To clarify, the this very commercial show favors the surface-level entertainment value of magic over theater. By not admitting to the “illusion” of it all, the show somewhat lamely asks us to buy into all the onstage trickery. No wonder the kids loved it – what they see up on the stage are superheroes with super powers shamelessly doing the impossible. Although some of the acts are admittedly entertaining and performed with skill and bravado, there’s a sense of clichéd, hollow bombast to it all. Ultimately, The Illusionists and shows of its ilk reduce both the art of magic and theater.

seanceHowever, the other two “magic” shows I saw (both now unfortunately closed), addressed this dichotomy head on. I had the great fortune to catch The Séance (RECOMMENDED) during its very short Off-Off-Broadway run in October at Highlight Studios; in fact, I fittingly caught a performance on Halloween proper. This hour-long affair, an intimate – almost claustrophobic –  immersive theatrical event courtesy of magic outfit A Taste of Magic, recreated the experience of attending an actual séance. The host, the enigmatically charismatic Jason Suran, walked a fine line, to successfully creepy effect. On one hand, he acknowledged that séances have had a long, notorious history of fooling and defrauding its patrons. On the other hand, Mr. Suran’s up-close illusions were so convincingly and expertly performed and the atmosphere he created was so intensely sustained that, by the end, the small audience (of only 12) was left reeling by whether what they had just witnessed was real.

penn-teller-on-broadwayVeteran duo Penn and Teller returned to Broadway early in the season with their generically titled but sensational show Penn & Teller on Broadway (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). The highly entertaining show, which played at the Marquis, was a master class in magic and showmanship, which was to be expected. Indeed, both the diminutive and suggestive Teller and the extroverted Penn were in top form and had the audience in the palms of their hands. But beyond providing top-notch entertainment, Mssrs. Penn and Teller more importantly philosophically delve into the very nature of magic and illusion. I believe they argue that magic and theater are synonymous. Good illusion must be both absolute and artful, a microcosm for the fathomless mysteries of life – which is what good theater is at the end of the day, right?

 

THE ILLUSIONISTS
Broadway, Performance
Neil Simon Theatre
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Through January 3

THE SÉANCE
Off-Off-Broadway, Performance, Immersive Theater
A Taste of Magic at Highlight Studios
1 hour (without an intermission)
Closed

PENN & TELLER ON BROADWAY
Broadway, Performance
Marquis Theatre
1 hour, 30 minutes (without an intermission)
Closed

Categories: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Theater

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