We had our first show at the American Theatre tonight (Friday). We arrived around 10:30am so Cindy would have lots of time to figure out just where to put all the cases and how to set up the show. The venue is a great space – very intimate for the audience but it is a little “tight” on the stage for a show of our size. There’s no wing space on stage right at all other than what we create with the curtains. Most of the show has to operate from a large room that’s stage left. Since our last visit here, we’ve added a couple of new illusions with a much larger footprint – they take up more space.
She got everything figured out and we started loading it all in. Mary and her crew were definitely ready for us. The space was clear and they even go the extra mile of moving a very large and heavy curtain for us so we can create stage space in front of that curtain.  That allows me to do some of the smaller magic there while they set up the illusions behind the curtain. Andrew Payne – a friend who lives about 30 minutes away and used to work for Andre Kole – is going to be helping us out this weekend as well. Ethan is definitely going to need some assistance moving things through those doors!
We did get a nice photo spread in the Virginia Pilot on Thursday. On Friday in the TICKET section, the Daily Press also ran a photo and show information. From the time we arrived at the theatre, the phones in the box office were ringing and continued to ring all day.
We had a good audience on Friday night, not sold out but very near capacity. I have no idea what tickets are like for Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. I guess we’ll see.
We had an interesting experience during the show. I young man who volunteered to help out with one of the tricks got very nervous…and then decided to leave the stage before doing the trick! Fortunately, another guy volunteered to finish the trick for him. In the end, I can’t say I blame the first guy. I was going to cut off his head (magically of course).
Tomorrow is another day…and another show.