Copperfield Sets a DateInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

David Copperfield

David Copperfield announced months ago he would be heading to the Las Vegas of the Ozarks, Branson, Missouri. You remember the diplomatic statements from the magicians currently performing in the country hamlet cum family entertainment Mecca.

The magic community in Branson claimed to be looking forward to his arrival; they believed he would give legitimacy to the area’s reputation as a magic venue. Darren Romeo, Academy of Magical Arts Magician of the Year and current star of the Branson magic scene, provided a lengthy dissertation on the almost exclusive influence Mr. Copperfield exerted on his career. We expressed some concern for the lack of mention of Siegfried and Roy — but then again, it was not likely they would be opening a competing show this summer.

That was then, this is now. The dates have now been set and made the Branson newspapers. Mr. Copperfield is a heavy talent, and does bring clout to the region. We have not heard any comments from Mr. Romeo since the dates were formalized at the Andy Williams Moon River Theater. You can catch Mr. Copperfield from June 13th through the 26th.

We do not mean to be cynical about Mr. Romeo’s proclamation of welcome. He has never struck us as a jealous or competitive magician. In fact, he has been very patient in developing his career from Broadway, to Vegas, to the road, and now to a home in Branson. Mr. Romeo’s strangely effusive welcome and declaration of sole dependency upon Mr. Copperfield for magical inspiration seemed too much.

It could be we are jaundiced by the years of toiling amongst less humane magicians who do exhibit the jealousy and back-stabbing talents Mr. Romeo seems to lack. If that is the case, that is very sad.

But now it is time for us to be effusive — embarrassingly so. Mr. Copperfield is, next to James Brown, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business. He pumps out over 500 shows a year, is constantly developing new material, set the level for a new generation of magicians. He is worthy of our respect and is one of the finest magicians, as we say at the Free Clinic, “Hands Down and Away.”

Magic is very fortunate to have someone as dedicated to our art as Mr. Copperfield. His work has influenced so many magicians and conditioned so many audiences. And yet, just as he influenced a new generation, he was influenced by those who performed before him. Let’s hope that years from now, after Mr. Copperfield has retired and hung up his blow-dryer, we recall his contributions. And while we are at it, perhaps we can also recall how vital Doug Henning’s contributions were as well.

David Copperfield