If Shakespeare Theater Company’s On Becket is a love letter, the Round House’s one-man show is. Not thinking about anything…A simple deception for the curious This time it’s a love story that uses magic tricks.
It was narrated and performed by Dendy, who previously played the mysterious Ariel in the film to great effect. Tempestthis is a magician-style coming-of-age story, which naturally includes a cavalcade of tricks that mark milestones in his journey.
The selected moments of Dendy’s rise from a shy kid in rural Missouri to a talented professional are charming and filled with charmingly self-deprecating humor. But what is raised? there is nothing What gets into interesting territory is the performer’s perspective on the watched and the viewer. He believes that magic is an intimate interaction, a very human conversation. It can be fun, mischievous, and fun, but it can also feel solemn at times. Simply put, the currency is a very specific type of trust.
But there is another subtlety here. Dendy is too humble to say this, but magicians also thrive on admiration for their excellence. He’s exciting to watch, not just because of the clever effects of the tricks, but because it’s fascinating to watch someone perform something that’s obviously incredibly complex and dexterous (even if we can’t figure it out). In our brave new world, this particularly human skill and artistry is more relevant than ever. Seeing a live magician is one of the age-old experiences that AI can never take away from us.
In other words, Dendy’s magic is there is nothing For lack of a better word, it’s mostly analog. His magic tricks (and other body parts) are collaborative celebrations and, in the act of performing them, an important continuation of a low-tech, high-precision tradition that is so rich and precious. If magic geeks are going to get carried away with this, those expecting Whisbang Illusion need to keep their expectations in check or they’ll miss the mark.
If there’s a cliché, it’s probably that Dendi conveys the story and humor as cleanly and crisply as his magic. And a more messy digression on the life part would have been a fun contrast, especially since Dendy is clearly resourceful. Daniel Conway’s gorgeous set gives it a feel of everything vintage, spooky, and wonderfully mystical about magicians, and it feels a little out of place.
Dendy’s warmth is nice and reassuring, but I really wish he would have done a little more to scare the horses. Without that, this set feels more like a promise not entirely kept. And here, director Aaron Posner, always a master of mood, pace, and overall smarts, showed a lighter touch. Still, this is Dendy’s story, and if you like magic, you’ll love how he shows that there’s more than meets the eye.
Nothing (★★★★☆) Playing through March 15 at the Round House Theater, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland. Tickets start at $50. Call 240-644-1100 or visit us. roundhousetheater.org.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
