Big News: Copperfield to Invade BransonInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

Romeo: Copperfield Influenced All

The Springfield (MO) News-Leader is reporting David Copperfield has agreed to appear for 13 days in the other entertainment mecca, Branson, Missouri.

The master illusionist will appear in the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre June 13th – 26th.

Tom Wolff, the Moon River manager hopes Mr. Copperfield’s announcement will draw additional visitors to the already very popular vacation destination. “He is a huge name,” Mr. Wolff said. “There’s already so much great entertainment in Branson. We’re hoping Copperfield will be a name that will change people’s plans.” Ticket prices have not yet been announced.

Interestingly, the paper quotes Darren Romeo extensively on the impact of Mr. Copperfield’s arrival.

We say, “interesting” because we were not aware Mr. Romeo had returned to Branson for a run through December 2005 and possibly longer. His website has no information about his new year-round gig. The website does not even mention he recently appeared in Reno. The last venue mention is the Beau Rivage Casino in Mississippi. If you click the link for tickets, you’re taken to a page listing his Beau Rivage dates — from last year.

While the official Darren Romeo site may not be up-to-date, the two available fan sites (German and English versions) have posted the Branson engagement front and center.

But back to Mr. Copperfield’s impact on the once sleepy hamlet in the Ozarks. “From a magic point of view, he’s got a few things in the show that are just wow,” said Mr. Romeo, who readily cites Copperfield’s influence on him.

Then he goes a bit overboard in his praise: “Everything you see – whether it’s in Branson or Vegas -is inspired by David Copperfield.”

Could this be an over-statement?

We love Mr. Copperfield as much as the next magic website, but “everything?” We would actually suggest his mentors in magic, Siegfried & Roy could be properly credited for inspiring much of what is now seen on Branson and Vegas stages. Heck, we’d even throw in Lance Burton & Mac King as influences on the magic performed by today’s headliners around the world.

Mr. Copperfield does not perform any effects — as far as we know — involving Fig Newtons (Mac King), tigers (Siegfried & Roy), difficult sleight of hand (Lance Burton), or drag costumes (Steve Daly).

We could be wrong, though.

We recall reading a blog somewhere claiming Mr. Copperfield was contemplating a routine where he front and back palmed fruit-filled cookies, and vanished wild animals while wearing high heels. To her credit, consultant to the stars, Joanie Spina, convinced him to stick “with what got you here.”

Interesting. Interesting indeed.