RICKY JAY WORKS HIS MAGIC WITH `52'.Byline: - Evan Henerson By now, skeptics have probably accused illusionist and cardman Ricky Jay Ricky Jay (b. 1948) is an American professional sleight-of-hand artist, actor, and author. He is considered an expert on the history of magic and oddball, unusual entertainment. of using everything from audience plants to doctored cards to having a few extra queens of spades grafted unobtrusively un·ob·tru·sive adj. Not undesirably noticeable or blatant; inconspicuous. un  ob·tru all over his
body for easy access.
They should be examining his brain. As far as this reviewer can tell, the man's claim that he has expert card control and ``a pretty good memory'' appears to be accurate. And I was sitting about four rows from the stage. Some other fortunate volunteers end up at the magician's side for a few minutes during ``Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants,'' Jay's much-traveled and very cool examination of cards, cons and the-hand-is-quicker-than-the-eye coordination. The current holiday engagement at the Geffen Playhouse's Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater is already the smallest space Jay has ever worked. But whether he's working the Kenis or the Shrine, Jay's work must be seen to be believed. Forget what you've seen at the Magic Castle or in Vegas or in the televised realm of Copperfield. The bearded guy with the droopy droop v. drooped, droop·ing, droops v.intr. 1. To bend or hang downward: "His mouth drooped sadly, pulled down, no doubt, by the plump weight of his jowls" eyes and those amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. hands is the one to watch. ``52 Assistants,'' directed by friend and frequent film employer David Mamet Noun 1. David Mamet - United States playwright (born in 1947) Mamet , is Jay's scripted yet free-form journey through the wonder of cards. Jay is constantly cutting, shuffling, guessing and -- above all -- transforming those items to the never-ending amazement of his guests. Along the way, he frequently explains the nature of a trick and where it might have originated. He unwraps the deck before beginning the first and second acts, and never explains his methods. Bits of song, poetry and myth are interspersed as well. And while it may be a learnable feat to, say, make a few bucks playing Three Card Monte, it will never look as fluid. Nor is there any explaining Jay's ability to deal a series of poker hands from a shuffled deck, with each hand meeting the exact expectation (and request) of the player. What was supposed to be a hand of four aces miraculously becomes a royal flush royal flush best possible hand in poker; one-suited hand from ten to ace. [Cards: Brewer Dictionary, 940] See : Perfection instead. Dealer wins. At the Kenis, Jay works in front of and behind a red curtain. When it snaps open, Kevin Rigdon's toy-and-game-festooned parlor of a set is revealed. Jay uses little more than a table or platform, although the toys get brought out a bit toward the end, when Jay is firing cards, dart-like, into figurines and watermelons. It's a living
RICKY JAY AND HIS 52 ASSISTANTS - Four stars Where: Geffen Playhouse The Geffen Playhouse (or the Geffen) is a not for profit performing arts theater in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Originally named the Westwood Playhouse, UCLA purchased the property in 1993. UCLA's then chancellor, Charles E. . When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m. Friday; through Dec. 16. Tickets: $75 to $85. (310) 2087-5454. www.GeffenPlayhouse.com In a nutshell: It's no illusion. Jay is brilliant. |
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