Thomas providing more bang for buck at Tropicana

Joe Delaney

Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 | 8:56 a.m.

"The Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas," performed twice an afternoon (dark Fridays), is in its fifth year in the Tropicana Tiffany Theatre, and is one of the best entertainment bargains of all the magic shows, including the evening offerings.

Thomas, a personable, relaxed, humorous host-performer, has a company that includes four female assistants and two males. Suzanne, Ophelia, Angela and Elizabeth are the dancers; Don and Eric, the male assistants.

In addition there are four Bengal tigers, two white and two orange, that appear, disappear and, sometimes, reappear, and a collection of white doves, plus two Mullican cockatoos, Buddy, a female and Sally, a male.

"The Art of Dreaming" was the theme throughout. The opening entrance was new and quite spectacular. Thomas entered apparently from thin air. Next came the doves, scarves and canes, one turning into the other. Buddy had the feature spot at this point. Thomas performed two new illusions with female assistants, variants on the classic "Metamorphosis" transition.

"Childhood Magic" involved a 5-year-old from the audience, a delightful foil, with the youngster "performing" the illusion involving a female assistant, Elizabeth, who was "transformed" into a Bengal tiger. Samson, a white Bengal tiger, was introduced and strutted about as Thomas told of his devotion to his birds and animals.

Elizabeth was "separated," apparently cut in two, then re-assembled. This led to the second audience participation trick involving a husband and wife, a magic box, and the husband's watch.

A short biographical film detailed Thomas' interest in dance throughout his life. Thomas danced, then paid tribute to his mother for her support through the years. Thomas performed his mother's favorite trick involving rings that pass though one another, engaging and disengaging.

This set up the finale where all four tigers appeared in previously empty cages, an exciting sequence involving the entire cast.

It was a very entertaining 70 minutes. The price is modest, a show to which one can easily afford to take the entire family.