An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion Comes to ASU Gammage

Tempe, Arizona – Imagine if you could win the lottery, travel to your perfect place in the blink of an eye, own your dream car, or turn back the hands of time. It all becomes a reality, every night. True to its title, “Grand Illusion” is the logical and incredible evolution of this conjurer’s art. Copperfield’s goal in “Grand Illusion” is to take one’s dreams (and maybe a few nightmares) and make them become reality using his state of the art wizardry.

Tickets go on sale January 12 for the February 20-21 performances at ASU Gammage and are priced at $19.25 to $52.50. Tickets will be available at  the ASU Gammage Box Office and through Ticketmaster.

“For magic to be relevant,” explains Copperfield, “it has to evolve so it keeps up with, or even surpasses, the best film and theater. I want to base my work on what people really dream about. Most of us don’t dream of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. But what affects people is realizing personal dreams, dreams almost everyone shares, that they thought were impossible. In the cinema the audience watches the characters’ dreams come true.”

Copperfield adds, “Grand Illusion” was partly inspired by an unfulfilled wish of my grandfather’s that a lot of people share: winning the lottery and finally owning that one special thing you always dreamed of. We call it an ‘intimate’ evening of grand illusion partly because it’s interactive. In one of the pieces, for example, the audience discovers how to predict lottery numbers that will come up that night. They get to participate in illusions that blur the line between magic and reality.”

Copperfield delights audiences when he magically brings an ordinary necktie to life, only to find out the tie has a mind of its own!   The show will also feature the spectacular and death defying feat of David attempting to walk through the rotating blades of a giant industrial fan – and live to tell the tale – “Grand Illusion” on a massive scale. For more information visit www.dcopperfield.com.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

KILLER
In an “unplugged” moment of pure sleight-of-hand Copperfield performs “close-up” magic with a lethal black African scorpion. One of the most original, startling-and dangerous-effects ever, this unforgettable display of sleight-of-hand presents Copperfield with a true challenge to his will and dexterity, in a test not to be tried at home.

SQUEEZEBOX
Copperfield takes liposuction to a whole new level as the six foot one “King of Magic” gets squeezed into a bite-sized piece that could fit into a Prada shoebox.

THE LOTTERY
Inspired by David’s grandfather’s unfilled dream, “The Lottery” is an astonishing epic of brain-busters. Copperfield involves the entire audience, and shares his secret technique for predicting the winning numbers of “The Lottery.”

MAN VERSUS STEEL
David walked through the Great Wall of China. This time, he’ll do it a little slower. Instead of walking, he floats through solid steel, proving that dreams can dissolve barriers.

THIRTEEN
One of Copperfield’s most heavily-requested creations, thirteen audience members chosen entirely at random vanish, leaving friends and family wondering whether to applaud or put their loved ones’ faces on milk cartons. Their fears are allayed as the thirteen reappear, instantly, in the most surprising of places.

“David Copperfield: An Intimate Evening Of Grand Illusion” is an affecting, life-changing event that reaches into the audiences’ minds and hearts and takes them on a feast of wish fulfillment. Displaying his off-the-cuff brand of humor, Copperfield breaks new ground in “Grand Illusion” and takes his art to a grand yet intimate, personal yet universal dimension for an evening of wonders that will never be forgotten.

*NOTE: ILLUSION LINEUP SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

About ASU Gammage
Located on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, ASU Gammage is among the largest university-based presenters of performing arts in the world.  ASU Gammage is the home theater of M&I Bank Broadway Across America – Arizona and Beyond series.  Its mission is connecting communities by providing artistic excellence and educational outreach to the public.  ASU Gammage is an historic hall designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. For more information, visit  asugammage.com.

About Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of 42 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling more than 5 million tickets to more than 3,000 performances each year. As a producer, current and recent Broadway productions include: Hairspray, Chicago, Monty Python’s Spamalot and The Producers.  It also manages, operates or consults in the operation of eight theaters across North America.  For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent, go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

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