Mickey gets a magic show

What? You say. Not another Disney show? We just had one last year. But yes, indeed. There is another Disney show coming to town. You might think this bit of news is something to dismiss or feel blasé about. You have seen them all, on ice or otherwise. But even if this is still the same Disney extravaganza you have seen several times in the past, do try to remember certain important things.

There are less fortunate people around who might only have the chance to watch a Disney show now and not last year or the year before that etc. etc. Then there are kiddies out there, the new Disney fans who have just become old enough to appreciate something like this. And most of all, if the show coming to town is Mickey’s Magic Show, then all of you will be watching it for the first time.

You really have to hand it to the people at Disney. Thanks to the example set by the great Walt Disney himself, they have become marketing illusionists who can literally extract water from really old stones. Maybe not really that difficult to do because the stones, like the 70-year-old Snow White or the almost a hundred-year-old Mickey Mouse, the host of everything Disney, are very charming creations now turned into legends.

But I am still amazed at how Disney continually keeps them and their ilk alive, seemingly ever fresh and always interesting to generation after generation. Just like the Disney live presentation of Mickey’s Magic Show. Just when you think you have already seen the legendary rodent do everything, Disney puts him in a magic show. So here is Mickey Mouse again, but in something new.

Mickey’s Magic Show has the same producer as Siegfried & Roy, the most successful illusion show of all time. Not only that, in charge of these breathtaking tricks is the famed illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer who has worked with great magicians like David Copperfield, Lance Burton and Siegfried & Roy. This should give the public an idea of the world-class illusions that are in store for them.

With Mickey Mouse as the master magician assisted by professional illusionist Michael Barron, the show features magic moments from memorable Disney movies but all performed live on stage. Among these are: Princess Jasmine soaring up into the air to the tune of A Whole New World from the movie Aladdin; Cinderella’s rags transforming instantly into a beautiful ball gown; or how the enchanted brooms from Fantasia will dance and sweep Minnie Mouse off her feet; and it will also be Minnie who will levitate in a black lighted number.

Cinderella’s fairy godmother will turn illusionist with her wand as well as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. I wonder what Snow White and Belle from Beauty and the Beast will do as well as Donald Duck and Goofy who will also be around. And I am sure you will all be surprised at which Disney characters will be in the dynamic sawing-in-half duet or at who among the kids in the audience will get to join the action on stage. Not to forget when buying your tickets, Barron’s kind of illusion is interactive and that means he will bring children on stage to join the show or assist in the magic.

Mickey’s Magic Show will play at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on Sept. 20, 7 p.m.; Sept. 21, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sept. 22, 11 a.m.; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. After which it will move to the Mall of Asia Arena in Parañaque on Oct. 2, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Oct. 3, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Oct. 4, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Oct. 5, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Oct. 6, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Now here is good news for those of you out there who are planning to bring the whole family to watch Mickey’s Magic Show. Vivre Fort Entertainment is offering a 30 percent discount on tickets. Call 668-9535 or 984-1208 to make your purchase and get your discount. Make sure you do this right away as the offer will only be good up to July 10 and available only from Vivre Fort.

As for those who can do without the discount, go to SM Ticket outlets located at SM Cinema Ticket Booths to purchase your tickets or get them online at www.smtickets.com.