Known as a true master of illusion, the one, the only, David Copperfield will make a three-show appearance at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, with two performances on Tuesday, Jan. 20 (5:30 and 8 p.m.) and one Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets to the show range from $45 to $65 and can be purchased online by going to BBMannPAH.com.
True to its title, “Grand Illusion” is the logical and incredible evolution of this mastermind’s art. His goal in the performance is to take one’s dreams (maybe a few nightmares) and make them a reality, using his state-of-the-art wizardry.
In a one-on-one interview with The Beach Bulletin, a sister publication of The Breeze, the Master of Illusion brought some fun answers to the table on what to expect.

Bulletin: You’ve repeatedly amazed a world of viewers with fantastic feats of daring proportions, from making the Statue of Liberty disappear to walking through the Great Wall of China, from hovering over the Grand Canyon to escaping Alcatraz! Do you have any future “tricks up your sleeve” that you’re willing to share with us — or at least hint towards?
D.C.: I have always wanted to put a woman’s face on Mt. Rushmore; straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa and vanish the moon — so you see, I have many great challenges ahead of me. The key to it all is to consider nothing impossible in crafting an illusion, and then work your way backward from the final reveal. Of course, this sounds easier than it is; otherwise everyone would be doing it.
For example, the illusion of “flying” was in the show for many years, and took me over six years to create. The current illusion, where I and 13 people vanish right before the audience eyes, and hopefully bring them all back safely is, well, you have to see it to believe it (and even then you might not!).

Bulletin: Performing such a wild spectacle of stunts, how do you come up with what you’re going to attempt next?
D.C.: I still look to movies, theater for inspiration. I love what can be done with CGI and the “green screen” in movies, like “The Matrix” movies or “King Kong.” To see something absolutely impossible look so real inspires my magic, and I love the reaction of the audience. But, most often, my illusions come from a dream, nightmare or something as simple as an encounter on the street. Others come from my international travel to far away lands and exotic locations.

Bulletin: Who — or what — was your influence when you were a young boy that first piqued your interest in magic and the art of illusion? Who or what was that spark that got you where you are today? Could it have been something as simple as someone pulling the “I got your nose” trick on you or removing a quarter out of your ear?
D.C.: I became interested in magic at an early age. Though I did ventriloquism first with my dummy, Ven, at first, I quickly moved on to magic, which I was much better at. I learned a card trick from my grandfather when I was 7 involving four aces. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away before he ever got to see me do it in public.
Bulletin: Are you excited to return to warmer, tropical U.S. weather during your Florida shows? Any hints you can give us as to what we can expect at your show at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall? Is there anything else you’d like to particularly say to our local crowd of magic fans?
D.C.: My shows at the Mann have always been fun, and who doesn’t like the Florida weather at this time of the year? I’ve been coming there since I was a child — escaping the long, cold New Jersey winters with my parents.
You know, I do my part with the magic, but it really is your audience that will make it so very special for me. I do more than 500 shows a year and never get bored because every show elicits a different reaction from the audience, and each new randomly selected participant
I bring on stage makes it all very fresh and unexpected. Have you ever seen a tie that dances to the sound of the music, or a magical rose appear inches from your eyes? Those are just a couple of close-up illusions that should delight the audiences. Let’s keep the rest a surprise.

Preview
Here’s a little preview of some of the master’s tricks he’s got in store up his sleeve for the three-show performance. For more information and other tricks, visit DCopperfield.com.

Killer
In an “unplugged” moment of pure sleight-of-hand, Copperfield performs “close-up” magic with a lethal black African scorpion. One of the most original, “startling and dangerous” effects ever, this unforgettable display of sleight-of-hand presents Copperfield with a true challenge to his will and dexterity, in a test not to be tried at home.

Sqeezebox
Copperfield takes liposuction to a whole new level as the 6-foot-1-inch “King of Magic” gets squeezed into a bite-sized piece that could fit into a Prada shoebox.

The Lottery
Inspired by David’s grandfather?s unfilled dream, “The Lottery” is an astonishing epic of brain-busters. Copperfield involves the entire audience, and shares his secret technique for predicting the winning numbers of “The Lottery.”

Man Versus Steel
David walked through the Great Wall of China. This time, he’ll do it a little slower. Instead of walking, he floats through solid steel, proving that dreams can dissolve barriers.

Thirteen
One of Copperfield’s most heavily-requested creations, 13 audience members, chosen entirely at random, vanish, leaving friends and family wondering whether to applaud or put their loved one’s faces on milk cartons. Their fears are allayed as the 13 reappear, instantly, in the most surprising of places.

To purchase tickets to any of David Copperfield’s upcoming performances at the Mann Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 20 and 21, visit BBMannPAH.com or call (800) 440-7469 or 481-4849. For more info on Copperfield, himself, visit DCopperfield.com.