Confessions of a magician: Derek DelGaudio reveals at least one secret to packing the house.
The first time Derek DelGaudio performed at the Geffen Playhouse — in the 2012 show “Nothing to Hide,” which he created with co-star Helder Guimarães and director Neil Patrick Harris — DelGaudio ended up staying longer than expected: The magic act, originally slotted for a one-month run, packed the house for 18 weeks.
Now DelGaudio is back at the Geffen with a new solo show, “In & Of Itself.” If its starry creative team, which includes Frank Oz as director and Mark Mothersbaugh as composer, isn’t sufficient enticement to fill seats, DelGaudio has a secret weapon: At every performance, he asks a member of the audience to return the next night.
On Wednesday night, when he made this surprising request, it wasn’t immediately clear that he was serious, and a long, awkward pause ensued. But a woman did volunteer. “I’ll call you Miss Tomorrow,” DelGaudio said. “Miss Tomorrow, meet Miss Yesterday,” he added, as the lights came up on the volunteer from the previous performance.
If people keep making good on their promises, then every show is guaranteed at least one audience member. It’s clever thinking, from a box-office perspective, but in this case it probably isn’t necessary: “In & Of Itself” is such an unexpected puzzle of a show, such an eclectic collection of stories, confessions, illusions and tricks — several truly dumbfounding — that audience members will want to come back anyway. And bring their friends. Read more..