Franz Harary does a magical benefit
for the Shriners this weekend.
Plucky Gamesters
By John Berger
steal magic
Star-BulletinYou've seen John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia. Watched "The Magic of Les & Terri" over dinner at Legends in Concert. You may have checked out the Showgirls of Magic during their brief engagement at Studio 1 Hawaii. Now try Franz Harary. Performing last night for the Shriners and their guests, Harary provided 90 minutes of entertainment. The show was about equal parts illusions by Harary, monologues by Harary, and dance routines by women wearing tight shorts or one-piece swimsuits. His co-stars, the Gamesters, stole the show in an all-too-short, 11-minute comic/magic segment.
Harary made a rabbit appear in a box, used bulky contraptions to do "impossible" feats of physical contortion or body-piercing, made a car appear near the rear of the stage, and survived a supposedly fatal (if implausibly bloodless) mishap with a chain saw.
He also took about 5 minutes out of the show to prove he could make someone disappear without having the person lie prone on the stage behind a platform. (The person did not reappear after the platform was wheeled off stage.)
Bravo, Gamesters! The duo's fast-moving minishow is a delightful blend of illusions, slapstick, vaudevillian theater, and cartoon-style action. The adventures of "Lefty" and "Sly" are G-rated in the best sense of the word -- fast, funny and cartoonish enough that even preschool keiki won't be frightened. Adults will find them thoroughly entertaining as well. What a find for the Shriners!
Harary on stage
When: 7:30 p.m. today; 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow; 4 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday
