day by other magicians. Criss is joined
by Chloe once again as he performs a
demonstration he once did from that
era where he starts to eat razor blades.
Even though the effect is comparatively small, you get a real sense that it’s a
very well-crafted routine that shows
how powerful and effective a classic
can be when you make it your own and
provide a new twist on the method
and presentation. It’s a beautifully choreographed dance and fills the stage as
Criss moves around Chloe slicing strips
of paper before chewing up the blades.
After reproducing the blades on the
thread he opens his mouth right into
the live camera and it seeps with blood
- a very cool and creepy punch.
The curtains then opened to reveal a
girl laid on a bed in beautiful dreamlike setting. As the scene changes to
a nightmare, the bed is torn apart to
reveal one very thin metal plate and
the girl is held down in place. Members
of the audience are chosen to examine
everything before a huge circular saw
is wheeled in from down stage and
whilst it spins, it lowers, ripping the girl
in two. No boxes, no covers, no shackles - nothing! At the same time the suspended plate parts and either half of
her body is now dangling from chains
on either side of the stage. Blood has
spewed out all over a white groundsheet during the carnage and this is
held up, in celebration and in honor of
one of Criss’ inspirations, Richiardi.
Next comes a vignette that is the
antithesis of what we just witnessed;
not the goth, in-your-face Criss Angel
but rather his face stripped away of
the makeup, vulnerable and an open
artist using magic to move and effect
change in his mission to make pediatric cancer disappear. Recently, Criss’
own son was diagnosed with leukemia,
and he used this part of the show
to highlight the goals he has set out
for his own charity work - including
hosting a huge event which took place
in September featuring many A-List
stars. As a video plays on screen it is
very moving and emotional for many
members of the audience, and further humanizes Criss as a performer.
I’ve never seen a magic show where
people are so touched and shed tears
- there’s a real sense of the magic of
emotion - something new and beauti18
“When it turns out to be the best magic show
you’ve seen you can’t complain at the $187.50 for
the best seats in the house.”