Columnist Joe Delaney: David Copperfield’s ability to amaze is no illusion

Joe Delaney

Friday, Feb. 11, 2000 | 8:55 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at joe@vegas.com or 259-4066.

David Copperfield is appearing, disappearing and reappearing nightly through March 2 in the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus. ... This is the Las Vegas premiere of his new production, "Journey of a Lifetime." ... This is also his 16th season at Caesars Palace and his 25th year, coming up, performing top-rated television specials for CBS.

For the past decade Forbes magazine has rated him the top individual income earner as an illusionist, consistently in the Top 25 annual leaders in the entertainment field for gross income, with 1994-1995 as a peak period when he earned $81 million. ... Much of this was earned in Europe, especially Germany, when he was going with Claudia Schiffer.

Schiffer is now reported as being engaged to someone else. ... Her "disappearance" from his scene has had no noticeable effect on his grosses, in this country or on a recent worldwide tour.

More Copperfield

"Journey of a Lifetime" includes his most recent illusion, selecting 13 people at random from the audience and having them vanish in an instant while onstage.

Also included is his famed ability to "fly," an illusion that took more than seven years to develop. ..."Test Conditions," a new illusion, is performed on a brightly-lit bare stage, sans smoke, mirrors, trapdoors or similar illusionary devices.

Also new is a masterful sleight-of-hand segment using large television screens, plus a special intergalactic, interactive illusion that involves each member of the audience -- and the moon.

Copperfield is most proud of his "Project Magic," a rehabilitative program established in 1982, using sleight-of-hand to strengthen dexterity and motor skills of disabled patients. ... It is now accredited and implemented in 1,100 hospitals in more than 30 countries.

Anent Debbie

Debbie Reynolds, appearing in the Orleans Hotel Showroom through Sunday, is this column's favorite "unsinkable" female performer. ... She is a trouper to the nth degree and a moving force in the Troupers, a nonprofit organization that does much good in the entertainment community. ... Undaunted by personal setbacks, she has never given less than her very best whatever the occasion, a success in every performance medium.

Multitalented, she's a superb impressionist, devastating at times, especially her Barbra Streisand; she is the quintessential performer. ... Her '90s successes in feature films have done much to diminish her trauma over the demise of her Debbie Reynolds Hotel here.

Reynolds is an inspiration to everyone who knows her. ... The old saw is that "The show must go on." ... This lady takes it to the next level: "The performer must go on and continue to develop and share their talents with the world." ... Onward and ever upward, Debbie.

Local happenings

Golden Rainbow will receive all the proceeds from "Closer Than Ever," an off-Broadway hit, 2 p.m. Sunday (Luxor's Pharaoh's Theatre). ... The Southern Nevada Musical Society Concert is at 3 p.m. Sunday (CCSN's Cheyenne Campus). ...Happy fourth anniversary to Jerry Tiffe and his 4-8 p.m. Sunday swing dance sessions at Texas Station.

Valentine's Day treat: The Ballet de l'Opera de Bordeaux performs "Romeo and Juliet," Monday at 8 p.m. in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall, part of this season's prestigious Charles Vanda Master Series.

Modern-day Will Rogers, Ron Shock is back in action, headlining at the Tropicana's Comedy Stop, Monday through Sunday, a superb story teller. ... Kip Addotta, off-the-wall funny, does likewise this coming week (Riviera Comedy Club).

Auditions are open for the Comedy Stop's eighth annual "Number One Fool" contest, call 739-2714.

Friday addenda

The Sons and Daughters of Erin's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 18, rather than the 17th. ... This columnist will once again serve as St. Patrick. ... There are six days of special events planned with the Sahara as host hotel and site of the annual Block Party following the parade. ... More on this next week.

Las Vegan Breck Wall and Patrick Maes' latest production, "Passion 2000," have earned unanimous rave reviews up north at Harvey's. ... It should be checked out for down here. ... Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell are under contract to appear on the cruise ship, Grand Princess, through August. ... See you next Thursday.