HOW TO GO
What: The Illusionists – Turn of the Century
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Kuss Auditorium, 300 South Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19, both shows at 8 p.m.
Admission: $45 to $65
More info: 937-328-3874 or go to http://pac.clarkstate.edu/events/calendar/the-illusionists-turn-of-the-century-friday/
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Following two successful performances here last season, The Illusionists — a popular Broadway show featuring some of the world’s leading illusionists — has added a brand new show for two dates to the Clark State Performing Arts Center’s 2016-2017 season.
“The Illusionists – Turn of the Century” will appear at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Kuss Auditorium. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 12.
This show will be completely different from the previous performances, going back in time to showcase the origins of some of the greatest and most dangerous illusions ever and never-before-seen experiments.
Springfield was the first stop on the previous tour, which was an honor. With the new show, the producers have again turned here to get the new show off the right way.
“They sought us out,” said Adele Adkins, Clark State Performing Arts Center Executive Director.
What differs is the new show isn’t a touring Broadway version, rather part of a very limited rehearsal window before opening its Broadway run. “Turn of the Century” will start in Akron before coming here.
The producers had two reasons why they wanted to return here, Adkins said.
“First, it’s what a fantastic facility we have,” she said. “Second, Dan Hunt, our technical director. The way he ran the technical crew is also why they wanted to come back.”
The show will bring four semi-trucks of equipment here for four days, two rehearsals and two shows, and then go straight back to Broadway, which doesn’t happen often, according to Adkins.
It’s a bigger production with nine Illusionists, she said, rather than the seven on the last show. All but one of them is new and they will perform more complicated illusions. So if you saw the first production, you haven’t seen everything The Illusionists offer.
It’s a great opportunity, Adkins said, and Clark State likes to add such acts when possible.
“We like to leave holes so when the right headliner goes out, if it’s of interest and we have the dates and money, we can add it to our schedule,” she said.
Tickets can be obtained at the Performing Art Center box office, by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com.
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