The Illusionists

Five men, two attractive assistants, and a host of eye-popping visuals. Taking some of the best entertainers from around the world and throwing them together for an spectacle is something you'd find in Las Vegas, not in the Ocean State, but here, magic happens all the time, and it's great fun to see.

"The Illusionists Live From Broadway" graces the stage at Providence Performing Art Center for one weekend only. Crafting a slick show, producers Simon Painter("Le Grand Cirque") and Tim Lawson ("Fiddler on the Roof" starring Topol") bring together some unique talent and boil it down to a two-plus hour show, and the visuals are as varied as the performers. Colin Cloud ("America's Got Talent") from Scotland is The Deductionist: Far from just guessing numbers and dates, he wows the crowd by reading thoughts from attendees and volunteers, uncanny and fun.

Jonathan Goodwin is the Daredevil: hailing from Britain, this hunky Houdini dodges arrows, hangs from a tether by his teeth and keeps the audience literally on the edge of their seats. Kevin James believes that as The Inventor, bringing a sense of wonder to the crowd is incredibly important: his illusions are the most wondrous and visually stunning. And from Korea, An Ha Lim is The Manipulator, who not only produces hundreds of playing cards from thin air, he changes their colors and images.

Acting as Emcee, a very funny Jeff Hobson earns his keep as The Trickster. Appearing in different places around the theater, Jeff picks a variety of assistance from the audience, both adults and children alike, and effortlessly wows them, (and us) with simple and complex feats of magic. He is the glue that holds the show together and the comic relief. Both he and James show us some techniques for what they do every night to the delight of the crowd.

Each segment is unique to the style of the performer; James is dressed like a mad scientist, Goodwin in his tank top and tight jeans is very much the sexy escape artist. An Ha Lim is only on stage twice during the show, and never speaks, allowing the spectacle to speak for itself. It's sort of classic variety magic show meets twenty-first century technology. A cameraman is present to highlight the action on a large screen so that all may see: even those in the rafters. Both assistants are ever present, as well. De'Niko Maurice Welch and the lovely Sabine Van Diemen are what you'd expect, the latter being stylish and sexy and ready to flashily present the illusion about to happen.

Despite the fact that this is presented as a family show, it doesn't escape the notice of our adult attendees that there's some naughty humor, and the emcee makes some colorful local references. Laughter is the necessary part of this production, and it's quite welcome, as are the visuals. There's rarely a moment of silence, except when Goodwin is about to escape from something. The whole adventure is a welcome change from the usual theatrical experience here in Providence. Gather the whole family, and get your tickets for a unique night of entertainment.

"The Illusionists Live From Broadway" is running through January 21st at The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) 220 Weybosset Street Providence, RI 02903. For information or tickets, call 401-421-2997 or visit www.ppacri.org.