The Genii Forum

Bob Baker

The show is in “out-of-town tryouts.” This is when the creators find out what’s working and what’s not. They tweak the show after every performance, rewriting, re-ordering, adding, eliminating. Many are the Broadway musicals that were panned out of town and with work and revision landed on Broadway ...

Bob Baker

Ted passed away last week at the age of 63 after a long illness. He was a creative force of nature and a kind, generous, charismatic man. As per his wishes, his long-rumored, long-awaited book containing all his published and unpublished works will be published posthumously. It is nearly complete, a...

Bob Baker

And here's the review by the NY Times's chief drama critic: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/theater/derren-brown-secret.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&am...

Bob Baker

I'm having trouble downloading the November issue. Anyone else?

Bob

Bob Baker

I saw the show last week, and they were terrific. It is one of the most intelligent magic shows I've seen. Penn seems to have mellowed (marriage, daughter, time?) and was charming and not preachy. The picture shown above is on the cover of the souvenir program. Don't miss the chance to see them! Bob

Bob Baker

As a fellow member of The Thirteen, I learned a huge amount from Charles. His wealth of knowledge and legion of friends were unsurpassed. As were his kindness and generosity.

Bob

Bob Baker

This is the most beautiful magic book I've ever seen. The quality of the reproductions is extraordinary. Some of the images are familiar, but as reproduced here gain great power. For instance, the familiar photo of Houdini in chains staring into the camera gets a full page by itself, and the forcefu...

Bob Baker

A wonderful review, and highly inappropriate. Apparently Mr. Mitchell considers himself excluded from Derren's specific request not to reveal the content of "Enigma" in the press or on the Internet. The reasons for the request are obvious: 1) So as not to ruin the surprises in the show for...

Bob Baker

(Note that where Cavett is sitting, he can see everything inside Slydini's right hand when he's palming.) Actually, Cavett is sitting exactly where Tony always placed the spectator when doing the cigarettes and coins through table. I don't think anyone who sat there ever saw anything. Cavett, of co...

Bob Baker

Frankly, I think Mr. Swiss's gratuitous comment says much more about him than about the PEA.

Bob

Bob Baker

During Guy's excellent performance, he asked the entire audience to hold hands, including Crissy and Uri. Uri reached out to CA in a friendly way, but Crissy refused to take his hand.

He looked like a mean-spirited, low-class jerk.

Bob

Bob Baker

No. There was talk about it, but the performers got together as a group and convinced the producers not to do it.

Bob Baker

Some dirtbag has taken it upon himself to expose many of the routines being performed on "Phenomenon." Sadly, there are a lot of hits.

http://getrue.com/

Bob

Bob Baker

Originally posted by Richard Kaufman: What are Geller and Angel doing there? Angel seems to be there to, in his words, "bust" people who claim to have real abilities. I would suggest he's there to promote himself. Particularly laughable was his "tribute" to Houdini in which he n...

Bob Baker

I thought Angel was abominable. So smug (I've been on televesion more than any other magician.) So know-it-all (I've worked with with Banachek and I can name PK Touches. Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nuh.) So condescending. (I did the ultimate Russian roulette with a real gun.) This show can't work for mental...

Bob Baker

Here's a link to an article about the 10 contestants, complete with a heart-warming little bio about each:

link

B

Bob Baker

Yes, but the price he receives for his corporate shows jumped from $5000 to $25,000, according to Terry's manager.

Bob Baker

Many of the top working mentalists in the country turned down multiple requests from the producers to audition. Well, of course! What did they have to gain? They are already making excellent, steady livings doing what they are doing. They have pretty good control over their careers. Why would they r...

Bob Baker

David Berglas and his wife, Ruth, popped off the QE 2 in New York yesterday for a luncheon in his honor at the Waldorf. Steve Cohen put it together for an invited group of NY magi and mentalists. There were also a couple of interlopers from the Washington, DC area. We had it in a private dining room...

Bob Baker

Here's a wonderful Irv Weiner story from one of the early PEA conventions. There was a panel discussion on dealing with the press, with several members claiming expertise on how to handle a hostile reporter. It was all quite academic until a new member, Ward Lucas, stood up and said he was an invest...

Bob Baker

My wife and I saw this new Frank Oz farce this weekend and enjoyed it thoroughly. There is an excellent ensemble cast of British actors and one Yank, but for us the stand-out was Andy Nyman. He disappears into his character and will be practically unrecognizable to those of you who know him only fro...

Bob Baker

Nice to see Miser's Dream exposed with clear, helpful, full color photographs in The New York Times.

Bob Baker

Terrific show! Name any other "magic special" or series that even comes close in sophistication and respect for its viewers. One huge difference is that DB is seemingly letting the audience in on the fun while at the same time amazing them. And he pokes fun at himself. What was the last th...

Bob Baker

Note that the host is a very young Matt Lauer.

Bob

Bob Baker

Saw Tony perform the tri-section sawing at one of the Tannen shows at the Barbizon Plaza Hotel in the late 60's. Frankly, it looked so bad that the audience was giggling.

Bob Baker

Looks wonderful. Any info on US broadcast channels/dates?

Bob

Bob Baker

Harry had been extremely friendly to my own kids back stage a few years before, making the "slap" incident all the more shocking to me. Regarding the possible explanation, I've treated hundreds of cancer patients in 25 years of medical practice. I've never had anyone become aggressive like...

Bob Baker

Originally posted by cgscpa: BTW - there once was a rumor about Blackstone, Sr. hitting a child during a performance. Does anyone know if this really happened? Harry Jr. slapped a kid during a public performance at a PEA convention in Washington DC during the 90's. Afterward, the kid actually had a...

Bob Baker

Originally posted by ckcarey: And to Bob's point that Derren doesn't seem concerned, give me a break. He just told you, he hasn't seen the special! He gave you the diplomatic answer any famous entertainer would give about another famous entertainer. I cannot speak for Derren, but I will say that on...

Bob Baker

Derren has informed me by e-mail that he was not contacted by Angel or his people. However, Derren goes on to point out that he has not seen Criss's show and therefore does not want to make any judgment. Derren further added, "I suppose any seance-themed show is going to seem close." Appar...

Bob Baker

Derren's "Sance" was light years beyond Criss's show in concept, writing, and effects. Brown's had a plot with a beginning, a middle and wonderful surprise ending. It was truly one of the most gripping and frightening hours of television I've seen. Criss's show show was laughable at times....

Bob Baker

Peter Reveen closed his show with the Knight's Tour for many years. Lior Manor (creator of the aforementioned computerized version) has used it in his corporate work with his own kicker ending. Hell, I learned it from Corinda and performed it regularly 30 years ago. So the trick should be available ...

Bob Baker

So far, (thru Thursday), the week has been great. Last night Jeff Dunham absolutely killed. Tyler, Johnson, and Lucas have been wonderful as well. Letterman has been incredibly supportive, even saying that his mother had called to comment on the show for the first time in years. She said everyone wa...

Bob Baker

Let the encomia begin! Beautifully produced and worth the 15 year wait and every penny of the price.

My advice: open it anywhere and start reading. Delights abound!

Bob

Bob Baker

Tell me Jason Alexander in the Genii photo from the Castle isn't the spittin' image of Marc Salem.

As the great man himself might say, "Coincidence?? I think not!"

Bob

P.S. Flame retardant: this post is meant only in fun.

Bob Baker

Originally posted by Bill Palmer: Who actually owns the Art Gallery effect? Bill: While I do not wish to get into a discussion of the "ownership" of magic effects, Derren Brown originally performed this routine on one of his early "Mind Control" specials. Derren had some adverti...

Bob Baker

Some tricks were good (Rubik's cube, spikes), some bad (DaVinci Code) and at least one ripped-off (art gallery). But the greatest fault, to me, was that Mr. Barry came off simply as a nice young man who presents tricks nicely, indistinguishable from other nice young men who also present tricks nicel...

Bob Baker

The whole stunt is summed up for me in a photo of an approximatetly 10 year old kid visiting DB in the bubble. I'd bet that 50 years from now that kid will be telling the story of his encounter with Blaine much as our great grandparents told of once having seen Houdini. How many members of our audie...

Bob Baker

"Psychological illusionist," eh?

Isn't there another UK mentalist who uses this term? I wonder if Mr. Barry uses mind control and tricks of the mind?

Bob Baker

Very enjoyable. Thanks!

Bob

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