We pulled into the Civic Center around 11am and the entire crew was there building the stage! This was an amazing process to watch them turn this arena into a theatre with a proscenium stage. We did realize that we were doing an arena show tonight but they did an incredible job of making it look fantastic. They had our electrics in place with the light plot hung. They even had a full fly system in place for our backdrops. It was very cool.
Everyone worked very hard throughout the day and we finished up around 5:30pm with everything. Doors to the venue opened at 6pm; doors to the arena opened at 6:30pm. Everyone on our crew scattered to get dressed and in final preparations and then the doors were opened. Kylie double-dutied tonight by working our merchandise table as well as operating the intelligent lighting. And she did a fantastic job on that merchandise too with record-breaking sales for us tonight.
The audience rolled into the arena, found their seats and it was show time! The show ran without a hitch – even in this very different setting for us. And the audience was really awesome. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate it when an audience is verbal and responsive – and this audience tonight gave us great feedback and energy. We had several expressive volunteers on stage tonight – thanks Richard and Jade – and the total audience participation illusion got a great response. During WINDSHEAR, there was a little boy on the front row who dropped his jaw as I crawled through the fan blades and never blinked until I was completely through and safe. The Brick Wall also got a very audible response tonight…and the evening ended with a standing ovation. They were a phenomenal audience.
The audience was a nice mix of families and young adults. And meeting them after the show in the lobby was a big treat. It is such a privilege to hear the comments from those who have just watched the show and listen to their favorite moment of the evening. I say it in the show but it is a magician’s job to reconnect people to wonder – and there is nothing more satisfying than when I see the evidence of that connection in the eyes and emotions of the people with whom I get to speak.
We had a few magicians make the drive down from New Orleans – always a treat to meet them. They were very encouraging and supportive. One even brought along his old copies of the LINKING RING, the issues that featured Cindy and I on the cover. WOW – we don’t look like that anymore! I need to talk to Phil about a new cover I think!! (Just kidding Phil).
We did walk away tonight with a few treats. Cliff, our technical director/coordinator for the day, brought us a Mardi Gras bag FULL of beads – all kinds of beads! And then, after we were loaded out, he brought over a 10 pound bad of crawfish that he fixed just for us – and they were delicious! It’s a Southern Louisiana/Cajun thing.
Tomorrow morning, we’re off to Parsons, KS. We’ve got 800 miles to cover so it will be an early day. Good night!