Yesterday we performed at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX. I have to admit, ever since we started playing in the theatres, it has been on of my goals to perform in this beautiful place. The history of this theatre is magical. Truly, magical – with performers like Houdini and Blackstone Sr who performed on this stage in the early 20’s. When the theatre contacted us more than a year ago, I was so excited – and yesterday one of my performing ambitions became a reality.
We had two shows at the Paramount – a 4pm and a 7:30pm – so we knew the morning was going to be early and the night was going to be late! But we also knew that, before we arrived in Austin, we already had two almost sold out houses. Nothing gets your enthusiasm in high gear like a great audience!
The morning did start early but the crew was there (Paramount and IATSE Local 205) to get us in and get the show ready. There were a few snags along the way that we had to work through but, in the end, the show was up, teched, and ready to go by 2:45pm. The doors would open in 45 minutes!
The 4pm show was filled with families. And we had some excellent volunteers on the stage with us. The audience had such great energy! There’s no way to adequately described how that fuels a performer…but they were amazing. And when I said “thank you and good night,” they were instantly on their feet – standing ovation. And that is always a humbling experience as well.
In the audience for the afternoon show was a good friend of mine, Pat Hazel and his family. Pat is an extremely talented actor/comedian, a former writer for the Seinfeld television show. He now lives in Austin and operates Sweetwater Productions (while staying on top of a very busy career of his own).
After the show, I made my way to the lobby for a “meet and greet” with audience members. I always enjoy this time to personally connect one-on-one with people. There was a large group of magicians who were at the show from the Austin club of the Society of American Magicians. It’s always nice when the local magicians come out and support the show – and the guys were awesome. We took a few minutes to get a group photo on the stage and then we had to clear out so they could get the house ready for the next performance.
Promptly at 7pm, the doors to the theatre opened for the next show to a sold out audience. While there were many families at this show too, the audience was mostly comprised of adults – from 20-somethings right on up to senior citizens. When Cindy and I took the stage for the opening illusion, there were gasps (and even a few screams) as I cut her into two separate pieces! And that energy stayed strong right up to intermission when I took my final pose on Windshear.
After a brief intermission, the audience was back in their seats and ready to go. They were just as energetic and enthusiastic as they were in the first half. And we ended strong with cheers, whistles, and an enthusiastic group in the crowd who gave us another standing ovation.
Cindy and I had some old friends in the crowd for this show – Andy and Janet Deskins and their two sons. These guys used to live in Virginia but are now in Austin working with Wachovia Bank. Andy was our first banker in the early days of our career – helping us buy several of our early illusions. It was great to see them again after about 15 years! Other special people in the crowd were Michelle Peebles and her husband J.P. (some very cool people) and Jennifer Ridge and her son Will (I first met her many years ago when performing at Stephen F. Austin State University).
Another trip to the lobby after the show for the “meet and greet” was incredible. The lobby was packed with people who wanted to share with me their favorite moment in the show, get a photograph, or just say hello. Having this time with some members of the audience is invigorating, to say the least.
We were packed and back at the hotel by 11pm, ready to get something to eat and call it a day.
To sum it all up, this was a great experience – everything I had hoped it would be. The entire staff at the Paramount Theatre were personable and professional. They made our time in Austin absolutely memorable and one of the highlights of our 08/09 tour. Thank you to all of you – we have some wonderful new friends in Austin, TX!