Watch out — magician has ‘Wohscigam’ in store for you

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Las Vegas has about every kind of show you can imagine. Come Monday it’ll even have one you can’t pronounce, at least not without instructions.

Can you say “Wohscigam”?

Give up? It’s wo-shee-gahm.

If you think that’s difficult, try explaining the show — a historical murder mystery sleight-of-hand magic show done in the style of a Broadway production.

It’s based on a show “Wohscigam” by turn-of-the-century magician Lester Tiband, who was murdered before opening night.

Magician Brett Daniels, star of the one-man show, has spent most of his career traveling the world performing big tricks — making cars disappear, sawing women in half.

He says he became tired of that and six years ago started working on “Wohscigam,” which is mostly sleight of hand. “Some of it is very big sleight of hand,” he says.

He’s had a couple of test runs, but Daniels is calling this the show’s premiere.

While he was developing the project, two period-piece films featuring magicians were released. The success of “The Prestige” and “The Illusionist” convinced Daniels he was on the right track.

“In the last 10 years Las Vegas has opened up to anything new, so long as it has quality,” Daniels says. “This is a visually based show, very eye-popping with dramatic sleight of hand.”

Details: “The Brett Daniels Magic Show: Wohscigam,” 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, Sahara, $39.95 to $49.95, $25.95 for children and seniors, 737-2515.

Joe Williams fund concert

Fans can hear great music and support the next generation of musicians at the 19th annual Joe Williams Music Scholarship Fund Concert on Sunday at the South Point.

The jazz legend, who lived in Las Vegas for 31 years, created the scholarship in 1989 for music students at the Community College of Southern Nevada (now College of Southern Nevada). He died March 29, 1999, but friends and fans have continued raising money for deserving students in his honor.

Cork Proctor, a stand-up comedian with a caustic wit, will host the afternoon show, which will feature performances by singing impressionist Bob Anderson, blues singer Marlena Shaw, jazz duo The Cunninghams, comedian Pete Barbutti and composer Artie Butler. The CSN Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the 17-piece CSN All-Star Jazz Band also will perform.

Since the fund’s inception, more than $135,000 has been raised, and more than 400 CSN students have been assisted with tuition waivers for music classes.

Details: 2 p.m. Sunday, South Point, $40, 797-8055

Around town

The Nevada Film Office recently announced the winners of its 20th annual scriptwriting contest: Keith Melcher, “Edward Kowalski Must Die!” first place; Alan Donahue, “Jerry Jones and the Living Dead Las Vegas Zombie Attack: the Musical,” second; Robert Cochrane, “Fairplay,” third ... Veteran Rod Stewart tribute artist John Anthony has joined the cast of American Superstars at the Stratosphere, where he performs such hits as “Infatuation,” “Hot Legs” and “Maggie May.” Anthony has been paying tribute to Stewart since 1994. (7 p.m. Sundays through Tuesdays, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; $42.75 for adults and $31.95 for children ages 5 to 12; 380-7711) ... Sesame Street Live “When Elmo Grows Up” comes to UNLV’s Cox Pavilion on April 24-27. ($14 to $28; 739-3267, unlvtickets.com). Shows are at 7 p.m. April 24; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. April 25; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. April 26; and 1 and 4:30 p.m. April 27.