West and ‘Chicks’ offer strong show at Bourbon Street

Joe Delaney

Friday, March 15, 2002 | 9:08 a.m.

"The Fielding West Show: Comedy, Tricks & Naked Chicks" is 70 very strong minutes of comedy, tricks and two comely females -- Natalie Lund and Marcy Parker -- who are topless at times. West is also assisted by Bob the Bird, a real bird.

West is equal parts very funny comedian and proficient magician, using constant comedic commentary and humorous audience involvement.

The Bourbon Street showroom, an intimate bandbox, has been refurbished and enhanced, a huge improvement by David Saxe, West's producer. The opening credits were cleverly displayed by assistants Lund and Parker, referred to throughout the show as Dixie and Trixie, respectively.

West's entrance set the fun-with-magic tone that followed. Bob the Bird was apparently destroyed (but not really) during an effective five-minute segment. West touched on a few late-night commercials, then did some funny business with a can of ordinary hair spray, swallowed a long blown-up balloon, and attempted to produce a tiger from behind a screen with disastrous personal results.

Dixie andTrixie, working in black light, removed articles of clothing and thus "disappeared," revealing nothing -- a tasty, tasteful change of pace. West returned to take a lady from the audience, put her in a trance, sawed her in half and returned her to her seat intact.

Metamorphosis, that old standby trick, had Trixie locked in the trunk, and West standing atop the trunk, but there were some very funny surprises en route to the trick's completion. West borrowed a pack of cigarettes from a member of the audience, performed a few tricks and returned the pack along with a message about not smoking -- a serious moment, nicely done.

There was some business about a bunny in a sword box and a disappearing bottle of Coca-Cola. Dixie and Trixie reappeared for a very energetic, brief cancan number, after which West brought up a man from the audience, borrowed $20 and, after apparently destroying the bill, gave him two $10 bills in return, then located the missing bill in an orange.

West reproduced the balloon, which he had previously swallowed, then brought back Bob the Bird, who was shot from a cannon and caught between West's teeth. West, Bob, Dixie and Trixie took bows together to very heavy audience response.

Tickets are $29.95 plus tax tab includes two free drinks. It's great fun. You won't do better for the price.