Editor’s note: State Farm Center is a sponsor of Chambanamoms.
It is not just another magic show. “The Illusionists — Live from Broadway” is the type of show you’ll rarely find outside of a place like Broadway or Las Vegas. Put it another way: The Illusionists is the Cadillac of magic/illusion performances.
And now it’s coming to State Farm Center. The show visits Champaign-Urbana on May 15 (7:30 p.m.) at State Farm Center, and we’re giving you five reasons why it is a must-see show. And, for good measure, we’re giving away four tickets to the show! So read on:
The presentation is sensational. From flashy sets to mind-bending illusions, the show is crafted with equal doses of theatrical extravagance — lasers, lights, music, etc. — to over-the-top humor. It is a blend of all things in the magic world, plus some comedy tossed in to piece it together. There are five magicians, each with a different shtick, and each is captivating in his own way.
Kevin James’ twists on traditional tricks. James, aka “The Inventor” — who, if you ask us, bears a striking resemblance to Gru’s accomplice Dr. Nefario in the Despicable Me films — “brought the house down” at a performance in Providence, R.I., when he blew on a wet napkin in his hand and covered the stage in a blizzard. He also cuts a person in half. And then puts him back together. No, really.
The Daredevil. This is the guy who is locked in a tank of water and manages to escape (well, we’re assuming). But he has his own special way of doing so. (He also can place a balloon atop his assistant’s head and nail it with a crossbow while blindfolded.)
Colin Cloud’s mind-reading. Cloud guesses audience members’ birthdays and pet names, but he also does flashier tricks that will, without a doubt, leaving you wondering, “How in the world …” We won’t spoil all the fun but suffice it to say there is plenty of audience participation and amazing fun with numbers.
Your participation. This is key. The Illusionists rely on audience volunteers, so if you’re seated near the stage, there’s a good chance you could be part of the show. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Now, for the best part: You can enter for a chance to win four tickets to the May 15 show at State Farm Center below: