Some new tricks YOU MAY HAVE READ somewhere that it'll cost you more to see David Copperfield's new show than it did to see him perform here 20 or 30 years ago at the Pagoda Hotel's C'est Si Bon when he was young and unknown. That's no surprise considering that Copperfield has become an international celebrity and superstar illusionist in the interim.
up his sleeve
David Copperfield's
return to Honolulu brings
fresh magicBy John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comNot to mention that he's also doing a way bigger show now.
"The ultimate effect is teleportation that makes people disappear on stage and sends them to appear on another island in real time. We send people, with proof, to that island and they appear there," Copperfield said during a recent call from Japan. The shows there marked the end of a two-month East Asian tour that included stops in Thailand, Singapore, China and Korea. The Honolulu shows open another leg of a scheduled tour that Copperfield describes as "going on almost forever -- I travel all over the place.
"We try to reach every demographic. We do close-up magic, physical challenges and artistic things, and also throw in a whole lot of fun. I have a good time having fun with the audience and not taking myself too seriously."
Where: Blaisdell Concert Hall DAVID COPPERFIELD'S
'PORTAL'
When: Tomorrow, August 18 through Monday, August 20 and Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26. Performances are 8 p.m. Aug. 18, 20 and 24; 5 and 8 p.m. Aug. 19, 25 and 26.
Admission: $85 and $60 for the 8 p.m. performances, $70 and $55 for the 5 p.m. shows. A $5 discount will be given for children 12 and under, senior citizens 62 and older and military with ID (exclusive of Saturday evening performances, Aug. 18 and 25). Charge by phone, 526-4400. Groups of 15 or more also get a 10 percent discount (with the exception of Saturday performances) by calling 732-7733.
Call: 591-2211.
Local Copperfield fans will be happy to know that the new show contains the same audience participation bit that was such a hit the last time he was here in 1998 with his then-Broadway show "Dreams and Nightmares." Everyone receives a piece of paper that has been perforated so that it can be torn into eight pieces of equal size and shape. One of the eight is not like the other. In following Copperfield's instructions, the odd piece will almost certainly end up in the same position in everyone's stack of eight.
(OK, so there's some kind of mathematical probability thing going on here -- it worked for over 90 percent of the '98 opening night crowd.)
"I've left it in because it keeps people involved. The magic is happening right there in their hands -- and whenever I take it out of the show, people get mad!"
Moving towards the teleportation end of the scale, Copperfield says he'll also entertain the audience by "walking through a steel wall."
"I actually melt through a little at a time -- almost morphing -- and you see it happening."
The man who recently survived a physical challenge in which he stood in the center of a 2000-degree "tornado of fire" admits to having at least one non-spectacular interest -- he's renovating his apartment -- but Copperfield insists that the Honolulu public find more interest in "Portal" than his interior decoration plans.
"It's a big spectacular show and every day we're adding to it. That's the story!"
Compadres at Ward Center is offering a special dinner package in conjunction with Monday's performance of David Copperfield's "Portal."
For $100 per person (gratuity not included), the restaurant is offering dinner and prime orchestra section seats for that evening's 8 p.m. performance at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Dinner seatings are at 5:30 and 6 p.m.
Compadres' Mexican menu includes a choice of entrees: a Mexican platter of chicken enchilada, chile relleno and crispy taco filled with shredded beef; a Baja platter with a seafood enchilada and fish taco or the Steak a la Tampiquena, sliced thin and topped with sautéed chiles, bacon and onions with melted Monterey Jack cheese and served with black beans and fiesta rice.
For reservations, call the restaurant at 591-8307.
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