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Burton's Magic Mixes Folksy Charm, Understated Tricks
No Whirling Blades Of Death Needed
Rick Garman, Vegas4Visitors.com
Updated: 10:12 a.m. EST December 29, 2003 Not much has changed in Lance Burton's show since I saw it five or six years ago, and that really is a good thing. He's still funny, earthy and full of an aw-shucks good nature that keeps his eye-popping illusions grounded and relatable for audiences of all ages and sophistications. You won't see any of what I call whirling-blades-of-death style magic here. You know what I'm talking about ... the type of illusions where the something sharp and supposedly dangerous is heading toward the magician as he struggles to get loose from chains and handcuffs. Will he escape? Of course he will. Everyone knows it, so the drama that may have been effective in more innocent times is all but lost. You also won't see any stand-and-pose style illusions. That's where the guy in charge strikes some dramatic pose, usually with arms outstretched, while equally dramatic music makes us wonder if the elephant will really float. No, what you see in Lance Burton's show is a mixture of smaller, more personal magic -- a lot of birds appearing and people disappearing -- and some larger set pieces that still impress without all of the showy theatrics. Burton will surprise you in a lot of ways, not the least of which is when you realize that a big-budget, traditional magic show in Vegas can still be entertaining. Whether he's doing something small (like changing a piece of crumpled paper into a bird) or big (hey, where did the Corvette go?), Burton maintains his Kentucky kid level of enthusiasm and charm. He really seems to be enjoying what he's doing and also seems to delight in the audience's delight. It's almost as if he's saying, "I know! I just made a goose appear out of nowhere! Wasn't that cool?" Yes, it is cool. Also of note is Burton's supporting act, Michael Goudeau, a comic-juggler who tosses everything from bowling balls to beanbag chairs with skill and more than a dash of goofy humor. He's like that dopey uncle at your family reunion that you can't help but be amused by, only this one is tossing around chain saws. so it's even better. One of the other great things about Burton's show is the price. When I first reviewed the show in 1997 or 1998, tickets were $45 to $55. Now they are $60 to $65, which is shocking when you see some other entertainers who have doubled their ticket prices in the same amount of time. It's also quite a bargain compared to the $100-and-up prices you'll pay at most of the shows in this town. Instead of trying to keep up with the Celine Dions and Blue Men, Burton has kept his show traditional, simple and real. Now that's what I call magic.
Lance Burton Vegas4Visitors Grade: B+
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