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THE MAGIC MAN
Reviewed by Larry Valentine
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to the theatre manager that he be allowed to present illusions. The manager is adamant in his refusal even though his theatre is half empty in contrast to the full houses enjoyed by Braithwaite. The plot moves on as the mentalist, urged on by his manager, Mr. Brandywine (Myron Nat-wick), is a guest in the home of a noted scientist Professor Gilbert (George Bren-gel). The mentalist is after an endorsement by the Professor in order to launch a nationwide tour. The professor's daughters (Marcy Freedman and Cheryl Palles) are convinced the mentalist is a fraud and convince Omar that he must expose the man for the charlatan he really is.
Omar places a word in a sealed envelope and challenges Braithwaite to reveal the hidden message. To his surprise, the mentalist is successful and Omar is ready to admit defeat. As the plot thickens we learn that Omar's theatre manager is in cahoots with the disreputable Mr. Brandywine. Convinced he must do something, Omar decides to perform his illusions on the final evening of his booking. At this point the villain is shown in his true colors as he attempts to destroy the illusionist's equipment and is caught by the Professor with an axe in his hand.
Smacking of a high school play, the show lacks any real music, the singing talent of the cast, with the exception of John Jellison, is deplorable. There is no choreography and the acting talents of the cast clearly shows their inability to overcome a weak script. Despite all these handicaps, the audience has a great time watching the plot unfold, hissing the villian, and being dazzled by Copperfield's absolute mastery of the magic that abounds throughout the show.
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A new musical comedy has come to Chicago's Loop in the form of, "The Magic Man," and it offers some superb magic and illusions as presented in the beautiful new First Chicago Center Theatre.
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Starring young (18) David Copperfield, the show was written by Barbara and Anthony D'Amato and represents their first effort and while the book and music cleary show their inexperience, the effort does afford an excellent showcase for the budding illusionist. More a melodrama than a standard musical comedy, the story takes place in Chicago circa 1913. The action centers around a rivalry between Omar, the Magnificent (Copperfield) and a mentalist, Neville Braithwaite who is magnificently played by John B. Jellison.
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Appearing at theatres located directly across the street, the magician is limited to doing small magic despite his pleas
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