BY RORY JOHNSTON & STAN ALLEN

34 • april 2014 With those words, the audience is drawn into a most unusual theatrical experience, part historical drama, part hysterical drama, ood evening ladies and 100 percent magical. The Illusionarium is a special place, a and gentleman, steampunk workshop where a mechanical and welcome to man comes to life, a goddess drops in from the heavens, and some of the world’s greatest The Illusionarium! magicians appear to battle for the honor of becoming the curator of this museum of I’m Geoffrey Royce, magical artifacts. and I am so pleased The audience of just over 200 found this mystical place not by following ancient maps you are able to attend or trudging to some exotic location, but sim- ply by walking down the hallway on Deck tonight’s auction. The Six of the Norwegian Getaway, the newest pieces you see around 4,000-passenger cruise ship in the Norwegian Cruise Lines armada. The guests have paid you come from my an additional charge of $29.99 to enjoy a steak-and-shrimp dinner and see the 90-min- great, great grandfather, ute show. As they walk through the elaborate Professor Vernon Royce. entrance hall and enter the Victorian-themed theater — a bit like stepping back in time to He was one of the most a fairytale world where even the wait staff are costumed characters — they immediately renowned magicians and sense that it was worth the extra charge. innovators of the 1800s, The centerpiece of the room is a fifteen-foot raised circular platform, almost entirely and he built this room to surrounded by tables and booths. Above the stage is an impressive dome, appearing to be protect and preserve the made of stained glass. art of magic forever. The show begins with a fussy little man, ” Geoffrey Royce (Jeff Hobson), preparing for an auction of magical memorabilia and props that have been in his family for generations. Having lost his love for the art, Geoffrey no longer has any use for the “junk.” But before he can commence, a clockwork replica of Professor Royce comes to life and, with a grand gesture, seals the room as klaxons go off and portholes slam shut. The dome, now a video screen, puts on a show of its own: giant gears and pistons close a blast shield that when opened reveals stars shining down and an ethereal goddess taking form in the heavens. With a flash of white light, she is now standing center stage. The Goddess and the Professor team up to stop the sale of the priceless antiques and summon the Masters from another dimension, with the goal of se- lecting a new curator for the museum. One at a time, four grandmasters of magic are pre- sented, each vying for the honor of being the new guardian. They are Michael & Melanie Giles, Losander, Alain Nu, and Dimmare. Along the way, Geoffrey rediscovers just how special the art of magic can be and begs

PHOTOS: NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE PHOTOS: NORWEGIAN for a chance to have the honor of becoming the curator himself. After a comical take on the Sword Basket, which doesn’t turn out ex- MAGIC • april 2014 35 Displays line the hallway leading to the showroom.

actly as planned, he finally performs a hilari- memory that would stick with him. It was added, as well as a 230-seat venue in the ous but clever act and wins the competition. there that he first met Hobson and booked style of a spiegeltent. Then the question was: Now assured that the Illusionarium him for a cruise. What should we put into these purpose- and its precious contents will remain in the Twenty years later, in 2008, Kilman built entertainment venues? That’s where family, Professor Royce and the Goddess joined Norwegian Cruise Lines just as the Richard came in. depart. The stained-glass dome returns — company was envisioning the 4,100-pas- The Epic launched in 2009 with a variety only to shatter into a million pieces, raining senger mega-ship called the Epic. Eight of upscale entertainment running nightly for down on the stage. In the night sky above, years earlier, the line had taken the typical guests, including Blue Man Group, Legends the stars shift, forming the images of the cruise dining model — dinner in a main in Concert, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, and Professor and the Goddess. He gives a dining room, followed by a show in the Howl at the Moon. Again, passengers loved thumbs up, she blows a kiss, and they both theater, and perhaps a lounge for music it. Four years later, the Norwegian Break- turn into a shooting star that rockets across and drinks afterwards — and thrown it away joined the fleet, offeringRock of Ages, the sky into distant space. overboard. NCL replaced it with some- The Second City, Cirque Dreams Jungle It’s quite the show. thing called “Freestyle Cruising.” Basi- Fantasy, and more. The project was a collaboration of many, cally, let the passengers eat when they Like the Epic and Breakaway, the new but the driving forces were Richard Kilman, want to eat, where they want to eat, and Norwegian Getaway would partner up Director of Entertainment Programming & with whom they want to eat. Specialty with established entertainment brands: Le- Development at Norwegian Cruise Line, restaurants were opened, including upscale gally Blonde: the Musical, Burn the Floor, and magician Jeff Hobson. dining experiences for an extra charge. Howl at the Moon, and The Grammy During the late 1980s, Kilman was And it worked. Passengers loved it. Experience. And for the first time, it would working as an agent, booking comedians For the Epic, the company decided to also present a show solely produced by and variety acts out of . One extend the freestyle approach to entertain- NCL. Drawing on fond memories of the of his regular hangouts was the Magic ment. Large theaters were shrunk from , Kilman wanted the new Castle. He loved the place, especially the 1,200 seats to almost half. A 250-seat show to be a magic show. And he didn’t immersive environment for magic — a comedy club and 170-seat blues club were just want a headline act. He wanted some-

36 MAGIC • april 2014 Special effects are scattered throughout the showroom.

Geoffrey Royce (Jeff Hobson) begins the auction. The video dome segues between performances. thing special, “like a new Magic Castle — When I replied that I didn’t, he said, ‘I I had a formal request to pitch a show to the Magic Castle reinvented — to showcase booked you on Norwegian Cruise Lines a major player,” Jeff says, “but I soon had magic in a cool environment.” when I saw you perform at the Magic some ideas brewing. Let’s take a little Jules Mike Flesch, Senior Vice-President of Castle.’ I quickly back-peddled as I did Verne, Hogwarts, H.G. Wells, Addams Hotel Operations at NCL, is Family, throw it all in the mix Kilman’s boss. “He’s in charge and see what comes up. Rich- of everything that touches the ard wanted a cool venue with guests,” explains Richard. “I’m performances by the world’s the idea guy, and I pitch my greatest magicians, but it had ideas to Mike.” The idea that to be set within a template Richard pitched was to present space already under construc- magic in a unique environment, tion. I knew what the room intimate and almost surrounded, would look like since it was then trick out the room to create similar to the theaters NCL an immersive magical experi- used for their circus shows. I ence. “I got Mike to come to couldn’t imagine a venue more Los Angeles with me to go to adverse to a magic show! A the Castle, and he caught on to mostly surrounded stage with what I was saying. I told him I little-to-no backstage space knew the guy I wanted to work and an audience close enough with, who knew everyone and had a killer remember the man, but not his name. That to see wrinkles in your shirt. I realized act.” And that guy was Jeff Hobson. was two decades ago!” hiring magicians for this venue would be a “I picked up the phone one day,” Jeff A couple of good meetings with Jeff challenge. Topping all of this off with din- recalls, “and this guy says, ‘Hi, this is resulted in some seed money to work up a ner being served while the acts performed Richard Kilman. Do you remember me?’ show treatment. “It had been awhile since had me doubt the project more than once.”

MAGIC • april 2014 37 Geoffrey Royce unknowlingly conjurors up…

…Professor Vernon Royce and the Astral Goddess.

Nevertheless, within a few days, the outline cool stuff, and hosts the grandmasters of practiced a single trick in my life. What and basic proposal were done. magic for everyone to see.” I didn’t know was that the pitch was too “It started with the name, The Illusion- “We went through a couple of rounds,” good. Smack in the middle of my presenta- arium, which went back to 1996 when Richard says, “and while it was not quite tion for all the major execs of Norwegian, Mark Kalin and I were think- I was stopped by CEO Kevin ing about a title for our show, Sheehan as he exclaimed, ‘This and among sixty or seventy is great! Say no more. We want ideas was Illusionarium. That to do this!’ It helped that my became one of the ‘areas’ in pitch came at exactly the right the Carnival of Wonders, time — the week that the film but it was only mentioned at Hugo was released. It helped one point in the show. It was sell the idea that this was an always in the back of my mind emerging concept.” as a cool name. The living One of the things that skeleton from Carnival was surprised Jeff was the tenta- always fun, so I thought, Make tive budget. He had written it steampunk, more upper the show with a limited budget crusty, add a monocle. Early in mind because “all compa- on, that character became the nies want to do everything as curator of the Illusionarium — inexpensively as possible — or Professor Vernon, named after . where we wanted it to be, we had enough to so I thought.” But Norwegian wanted So that was the crux — the Illusionarium make an initial presentation.” this to be a big project, so their first self- and this 150-year-old guy who’s been kept “The day of the pitch came with a produced production in a custom venue alive through steampunk means and keeps surprise,” explains Jeff. “I had planned was given a multimillion-dollar budget. this secret underground place filled with and practiced my talk more than I had ever Hobson soon realized The Illusionarium

38 MAGIC • april 2014 Michael & Melanie Giles

Alain Nu

was heading into uncharted territory that opens and the contents can be seen under names, a big smile came over my face. I re- demanded both patience and understand- Plexiglas shields. ally wanted the project, so I went all out in ing between himself and the administra- David originally designed the stained- my demo and was thrilled when they picked tion. They hired professional lighting, glass dome that tops the room as a static set me. I really loved doing it because it was like sound, scenery, and video designers from piece, but then had the idea to make it an revisiting an old world I used to be part of.” the film and theater industry, with credits LED projection system. After seeing a dem- Not only did Ed write the background ranging from Disney to Broadway. onstration of 3-D Video Mapping, Richard score and all the music for the videos and “I wanted a Broadway scenic designer to loved the concept. He hired specialist Ryan interludes, but he also composed original help us create this world that would marry Usalesky, who installed six projections music for all of the acts — most significant- with Jeff’s initial story,” Richard says. “We with image blending. Making this work in ly, James Dimmare’s bird act. “Rhapsody talked to a lot of people. I felt an instant a dome was a little different; doing it on in Blue” has always been Dimmare’s music. connection with David Gallo, Tony award– a ship with vibration was very different. But because that song is so strongly associ- winning designer [The Drowsy Chaperone, Special shock-absorbing brackets had to be ated with the United Airlines advertising Memphis]. Our initial phone call lasted a designed to hold the projectors, along with campaign, NCL asked for it to be changed. couple of hours, talking about all the things a custom calibration system so the images “It was an interesting challenge to do we could do. He was all over it. Before we could be lined up. The video dome also James’ act,” Ed says, “because it was very even had a contract, he spent hours develop- requires a full-time tech to maintain it. specifically choreographed to ‘Rhapsody ing renderings. It blew me away.” A multidirectional sound system was in- in Blue,’ which speeds up and slows down Gallo not only designed the totally im- stalled to do justice to the special effects and throughout. So I watched the video of his mersive showroom, but also the wonderful music scored by Ed Kessel. Ed had actually act with the sound turned off and I scored museum foyer leading into it. The hall is started his showbiz life doing magic from it as if I was scoring a movie. That way, I lined with stacks of drawers and shelves age eleven to fourteen. When he got the was able to bring out the flourishes and ac- holding unusual antique props and memo- call to submit a demo, he was very excited. cents and come up with a whole new sound rabilia collected by set decorator Keen “When I started reading the script all about for him. I knew it would be a departure Gat. The top drawer of each stack actually Kellar, Blackstone, Herrmann, and all these for him, because he’d used the same music

MAGIC • april 2014 39 Losander

Jeff Hobson

for so long.” And it was a little tough for the through-line of story that the director appear, performing a fifteen- to twenty- James, who’s doing a slightly shorter version brought to this marriage of theater and minute set with Card in Mouth, Egg Bag, of the act — seven minutes, seven doves. magic. The teams on both sides soon devel- and watch steals. His spot, while as funny as “At first, I couldn’t wrap my head around oped a sense of trust, and by the end it was ever, is a little less “flamboyant,” if you will. not using ‘my’ music,” says Dimmare, “but a great collaboration. Plus, every six months With Geoffrey’s character arc, Jeff didn’t feel within four rehearsals, it was okay. Now, I get to go back and light the new acts of the that material fit. I’m finding the beats to my movement and replacement cast, which gives me something No production is without its difficulties, I’m rocking it.” to look forward to!” and this one did run into a few major prob- Costume designer Eduardo Secondo The script went through three different lems. Once the showroom was constructed, was brought in to create a cohesive look writers before John Schiappa took over. As the team discovered that there was limited for the characters, the Maitre D’, the the script expanded, it became necessary visibility along the outside perimeter. The wait staff, and even the show technicians. to include two live actors: Richard Price people sitting there didn’t have a good view Some of the acts were able to modify their (Professor Vernon Royce) and Lindsay of the roof dome, where many of the effects existing costumes, and Dimmare was left Ryan (Astral Goddess). Originally, Hobson take place, including the climax of the show. unchanged because his white tie and tails wanted to avoid actors, but ultimately he Something had to be done to compensate. is a timeless look. had to become an actor himself. Video monitors were added so those audi- When it came to lighting, Kilman wanted “Sure, I acted in a dozen or so plays in ence members could get the idea of what someone with magic experience. Don Guy high school and my post–high school days,” was going on in the dome. But that wasn’t has designed the lighting for Carnival of says Jeff, “but nothing prepared me for enough. Management wanted to somehow Wonders, Rick Thomas’ show, and Masters real acting with a Broadway-experienced enhance the experience in those seats so they of Magic. “Lighting on three sides for an director at the helm. The ‘fish out of water’ would get something the rest of the audience audience who is sitting very close brought analogy comes to mind! I experienced ex- didn’t, evening out the score. Jeff suggested lots of challenges. Still, it was a delight to treme frustration, while the director and the the company go back to Bill Smith’s Magic work on because most magic shows have other real actors had their patience tested.” Ventures to create environmental effects for short transitions between the acts, but not Hobson is the last of the five magicians to the outside booths.

40 MAGIC • april 2014 Dimmare

Jeff Hobson The Professor and Goddess choose Geoffrey.

Bill had originally been brought in to “No matter how many acts you see on ander answers, “I love the venue, because I create a few illusions for the show: the video,” Hobson explained, “you ultimate- think that’s how magic should be seen.” He Sword Basket, a chest full of light and ly have to go with people you can trust, presents a flaming dancing staff, a bubble smoke, a silk “spirit” that flies out of it who have a track record for success. Con- routine, thumb tie with a chain, and his into the chest of the mechanical man, and sistency. We have no room for one good signature Floating Table, complete with the the cabinet that changes the robot into a show, one bad show. I’ve known these vanish of the table at the end. “Perform- real man. He also created effects for the guys for years, and they work surrounded. ing very close to the audience and fully foyer entrance, such as a mirror in which Yep. That’s why they’re here.” surrounded is a big challenge for magicians, a classic magician’s face appears and whis- Once the showroom was created and the but my act was designed from the start to pers to the person looking into it. Now he cast hired, it was critical to find the right be performed under any conditions. I really returned to enhance the experience for the person to bring it all together. Broadway like that the audience is so close that they people in the rear of the showroom. He director Patti Wilcox [Motown the Musical] can literally feel the magic.” teamed up with Kerry Pollock to engineer was selected to helm the performances. Jeff Mike Giles and his wife Melanie do the dining tables that slowly raise four inches consulted with her about the limitations of opening magic segment: the Throne Chair over 45 minutes, then jump another two magic in such a difficult environment. “For production, Origami Box, Silk in Apple, inches during the explosive climax in example,” says Jeff, “Patti envisioned a and a Sub Trunk. He says, “The best part the show. Bill also installed thumpers in show with no blackouts, but I had written of the experience for me is it’s been a while the seat, paintings that drop off walls, a special effects and illusions into the script since I worked six days a week, two shows collapsing Tiffany lamp, and more effects that could not be done with the state-of-the- a night. Believe it or not, that’s the good throughout the entire venue. art video dome without exposing the secrets. part! It’s hard to stay on top of the game, Finding the grandmasters of magic was In the end, compromise was the key word.” so I’m actually enjoying it.” He adds, with also a challenge, because of the constraints After the first two months, all of the a laugh, “We’ll see how long that lasts.” of the room and the six-month commit- magicians, who enjoy guest status on board When asked what is the worst part, he ment. The first people chosen were Giles, the ship, think it’s a good gig. When asked gives the same answer: “Doing a job six Dimmare, and Losander. what is the best part of the experience, Los- days a week, two shows a night!” He then

MAGIC • april 2014 41 The video dome “explodes” for the grand finale.

adds, “Honestly, it’s probably the monot- and Jaehoon Lim, who has been excused real challenge. Bruce Gold is the first one ony of the job, going to the same places from his stint in the Korean army because scheduled to take on that challenge as he over and over again.” Of course, if you this is such a tremendous opportunity. and the balance of the new cast and crew have to visit the same places over and over But since Jeff plays the main character take over the middle of May. again each week, Miami, St. Maarten, St. role in the production — and also must The Illusionarium, which has been Thomas, and the Bahamas drawing strong numbers, is are not that bad. set to remain on the Norwe- All agree that being out gian Getaway for three years, for six months leaves them and possibly much longer. missing home and family. Currently, Richard Kilman Thanks to the Internet and closely monitors the success FaceTime, they do manage of the show from his office in to stay in touch. Miami, keeping an eye on the Maritime law limits the ratings generated from audi- amount of time people are al- ences. Jeff’s job as the Artistic lowed to work at sea without & Casting Director is to keep a break, so the cast of The the show “magical” and Illusionarium must change book the best grandmasters out every six months. This of magic into one of the most is no small feat. New music, unique venues in the world, costumes, lighting, and staging will all be wow the audience with his final act, perhaps the most ambitious theatrical required. Hobson, who is responsible for which wins the “audition” — it raises environment at sea, where the worlds of le- booking all of the magicians, has already the question: can he be replaced? How gitimate theater, magical performance, and signed replacement Masters: Thommy Ten many show-stopping magicians are out the cruise industry have melded together in & Amélie, Joseph Gabriel, Jerome Murat, there who are also good actors? It’s a a weird and quite wonderful way.

42 MAGIC • april 2014